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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2012

Registration No. 333-          

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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ZaZa Energy Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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1301 McKinney Street, Suite 2850
Houston, Texas 77010
(713) 595-1900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

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Todd Alan Brooks
ZaZa Energy Corporation
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 2850
Houston, Texas 77010
(713) 595-1900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

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With a copy to:

W. Mark Young
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 220-4200

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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
At such time or times after the effective date of this Registration Statement as the selling stockholders shall determine.

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

All of the shares of common stock offered hereby are for the accounts of the selling stockholders.

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The calculation of the registration fee is based on the average of the high and low price for the common stock of ZaZa Energy Corporation on September 19, 2012 as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market.

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           The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

   

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

Prospectus

34,650,789 Shares

ZAZA ENERGY CORPORATION

Common Stock

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        This prospectus relates to the resale of 34,650,789 shares of common stock of ZaZa Energy Corporation that may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus.

        The selling stockholders and their permitted transferees may offer and sell the shares from time to time at market prices, in negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and amount of any sale are within the sole discretion of the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders may sell the shares directly or through underwriters, brokers or dealers. The selling stockholders will pay commissions or discounts to underwriters, brokers or dealers in amounts to be negotiated prior to the sale. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders. See "Plan of Distribution" on page 15 for more information on this topic.

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        Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "ZAZA." On September 19, 2012, the closing sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $3.22 per share.

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        Investing in our common stock involves risks, including those contained or incorporated by reference herein as described under "Risk Factors" on page 12 of this prospectus.

        Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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The date of this prospectus is                , 2012

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The registration statement filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more details about the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the related exhibits filed with the SEC, together with the additional information described below under the headings "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation by Reference."

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the selling stockholders have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The selling stockholders are not making offers to sell or seeking offers to buy any of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any other document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

        Under no circumstances should the delivery to you of this prospectus or any offer or sale made pursuant to this prospectus create any implication that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after the date of this prospectus.

        Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to "ZaZa," "we," "us," and "our" mean ZaZa Energy Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (ZaZa Energy LLC and Toreador Resources Corporation) and each of their respective subsidiaries.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 being filed with the SEC under the Securities Act to register the resale by the selling stockholders of the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

        We file annual, quarterly, and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. General information about us, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website at www.zazaenergy.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished (pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Current Reports on Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules) rather than filed:

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on June 14, 2012;



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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal periods ended (i) March 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on August 10, 2012, and (ii) June 30, 2012, as filed with the SEC on September 13, 2012, and as amended by the Form 10-Q/A filed with the SEC on September 18, 2012;



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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012, March 29, 2012, April 16, 2012, April 23, 2012, May 4, 2012, May 22, 2012, May 25, 2012, June 11, 2012, July 30, 2012, August 15, 2012 and August 21, 2012; and



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the description of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-177264), as amended, filed on January 10, 2012 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Securities Act of 1933.

        We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, upon written or oral request and at no cost. Requests should be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

ZaZa Energy Corporation
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 2850
Houston, Texas 77010
(713) 595-1900
Attn: Investor Relations

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Further information about the risks and uncertainties that may impact us are described or incorporated by reference in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 9. You should read that section carefully. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this prospectus or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our common stock is subject to numerous risks, including the risks described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein, as amended under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, which is also incorporated by reference herein. You should carefully consider these risks, along with the information provided elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus before investing in the common stock. You could lose all or part of your investment in the common stock.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        The shares of common stock to be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus will be offered and sold by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

        On February 21, 2012, we entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with MSDC ZEC Investments, LLC, Senator Sidecar Master Fund LP, Winmill Investments LLC, O-CAP Offshore Master Fund, L.P., O-CAP Partners, L.P., Permal Talara Ltd., Blackwell Partners, LLC, Talara Master Fund, Ltd. and Capital Ventures International, pursuant to which we issued to such investors senior secured notes with an aggregate principal amount of $100 million maturing in 2017 and warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of 26,315,789 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an exercise price of $3.15 per share. The Warrants were issued in a private placement made in reliance upon applicable exemptions from registration under Section 4(2) and Regulation D of the Securities Act. The Warrants represent approximately 20.6% of the outstanding shares of our common stock on an as-converted and fully-diluted basis. The Warrants expire in five years and are exercisable at any time after the six month anniversary of the issuance date. Pursuant to the SPA, we granted registration rights to each of the investors with respect to the Warrants.

        On February 22, 2012, the ZaZa LLC Members entered into Stock Purchase Agreements (the "Purchase Agreements") with certain investors pursuant to which each of Blackstone Oil & Gas, LLC, Omega Energy, LLC, and Lara Energy, Inc. sold 2,778,334, 2,778,333 and 2,778,333 shares of our common stock, respectively, to such investors. We did not receive any proceeds from such sales of common stock. Related to the execution of such Purchase Agreements, we sent letters (together, the "Registration Rights Letters") to each of the investors under such Purchase Agreements and thereby granted registration rights to each of the investors. The sale of the shares of common stock under the Purchase Agreements was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which did not involve a public offering.

        Pursuant to the terms of the SPA and the Registration Rights Letters, we are required to file the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with the SEC and maintain its effectiveness for specified periods in order to register the offers and sales by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock offered hereby. Pursuant to the SPA and the Registration Rights Letters, we have agreed to indemnify each selling stockholder against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

        The following table sets forth information regarding the selling stockholders and the number of shares of common stock each selling stockholder is offering. The information included in the table as to the selling stockholders has been furnished to us by or on behalf of the selling stockholders for inclusion in this prospectus. The selling stockholders identified below may have sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of some or all of their securities since the date as of which the information in the following table is presented in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements

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of the Securities Act and of which we are not aware. The term "selling stockholder" includes donees, pledgees, transferees, or other successors-in-interest selling securities received from the named selling stockholders as a gift, pledge, stockholder distribution or other non-sale related transfer after the date of this prospectus. Under the rules of the SEC, beneficial ownership includes shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises voting or investment power. The information regarding shares beneficially owned after the offering assumes the sale of all shares offered by the selling stockholders. The percentage ownership data is based on 101,719,953 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of September 19, 2012.

        We have been advised by the selling stockholders that none of the selling stockholders is a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer. We have also been advised by the selling stockholders that they purchased the securities being registered in the ordinary course of business, and not for resale, and that they had, at the time of purchase, no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities.

        To our knowledge, none of the selling stockholders has, or has had within the past three years, any position, office or other material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates, other than their ownership of securities described below.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus may be sold by the selling stockholders or their transferees from time to time in:

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transactions in the over-the-counter market, the NASDAQ Capital Market, or on one or more exchanges on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;



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negotiated transactions;



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transactions otherwise than on the NASDAQ Capital Market or stock exchanges;



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underwritten offerings;



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distributions to equity security holders, partners or other stockholders of the selling stockholders;



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through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; or



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through a combination of these methods of sale.

        The selling stockholders may sell the shares of our common stock at:

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fixed prices which may be changed;



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market prices prevailing at the time of sale;



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prices related to prevailing market prices;



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negotiated prices; or



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any other method permitted by law.

        In connection with sales of the common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock to close out short positions, or loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell those shares. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, those underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal. Any such discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, brokers-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.

        The selling stockholders may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them. If the selling stockholders default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time under this prospectus or an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

        The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer or agent participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed, to any such broker-dealer or agent may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a

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particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealer or agent, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

Direct Sales, Agents, Dealers and Underwriters

        The selling stockholders or their transferees may effect transactions by selling the shares of common stock in any of the following ways:

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directly to purchasers; or



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to or through agents, dealers or underwriters designated from time to time.

        Agents, dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders and/or the purchasers of shares for whom they act as agent or to whom they sell as principals, or both. The agents, dealers or underwriters that act in connection with the sale of shares might be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and any discount or commission received by them and any profit on the resale of shares as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.

Regulation M

        The selling stockholders and any other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the shares are subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations under such act, including, without limitation, Regulation M. These provisions may restrict certain activities of, and limit the timing of purchase and sales of any of the shares by, the selling stockholders or any other such person. Furthermore, under Regulation M persons engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously engaging in market making and certain other activities with respect to such securities for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions, subject to specified exceptions or exemptions. All of these limitations may affect the marketability of the shares.

Supplements

        To the extent required, we will set forth in a supplement to this prospectus filed with the SEC the number of shares to be sold, the purchase price and public offering price, any new selling stockholders, the name or names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offering.

State Securities Law

        Under the securities laws of some states, the selling stockholders may only sell the shares in those states through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the selling stockholders may not sell the shares unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in that state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is satisfied.

Expenses, Indemnification

        We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholders and will bear all expenses related to the registration of this offering but will not pay for any underwriting commissions, fees or discounts, if any. We will indemnify the selling

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stockholders against some civil liabilities, including some liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.

        In the event of a material change in the plan of distribution disclosed in this prospectus, the selling stockholders will not be able to effect transactions in the shares pursuant to this prospectus until such time as a post-effective amendment to the registration statement is filed with, and declared effective by, the SEC.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the shares of common stock offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas.

EXPERTS

        The balance sheet of ZaZa Energy Corporation appearing in ZaZa Energy Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about ZaZa Energy Corporation's ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statement is incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The financial statements of ZaZa Energy, LLC appearing in ZaZa Energy Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about ZaZa Energy, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The consolidated financial statements of Toreador Resources Corporation appearing in ZaZa Energy Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young Audit, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following table sets forth the various expenses, all of which will be borne by us, in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. The selling stockholders will pay all brokerage commissions, underwriting discounts and commissions, transfer taxes and other similar selling expenses, if any, associated with their sales of the shares. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee.

Item 14.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful.

        Section 145(b) of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

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        Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

        Section 145(d) of the DGCL provides that any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

        Section 145(e) of the DGCL provides that expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

        Section 145(f) of the DGCL provides that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

        Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides that a corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.

        Section 145(j) of the DGCL provides that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

        Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision that

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generally eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duty, subject to the limitations of Section 102(b)(7).

        We indemnify and hold harmless all past and present directors and officers of Toreador and ZaZa and their respective subsidiaries, and advance to such persons their legal and other expenses, subject to an undertaking by such person to reimburse ZaZa all advanced amounts in the event of a final non-appealable determination by a court that such person was not entitled to such advancement. In addition, we have entered into indemnity agreements with our present directors and certain of our executive officers. The indemnity agreements will supplement existing indemnification provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, and generally provide for the indemnification of all liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our directors and executive officers in connection with the performance of their duties for ZaZa, subject to certain customary exclusions. The indemnity agreements also provide for the reimbursement of expenses any such person incurs as a witness in connection with a proceeding involving ZaZa and the advancement of expenses during any proceeding prior to a final resolution as long as such person agrees to return such funds if it is determined that they were not entitled to indemnification under the indemnity agreements. The indemnity agreements also establish customary procedures to determine whether a person is entitled to indemnification, including by the appointment of an independent counsel to evaluate such person's claim to indemnification.

        We maintain insurance policies that provide coverage to our directors and officers against certain liabilities.

Item 15.    Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

        On February 21, 2012, ZaZa issued the Warrants at an exercise price of $3.15 per share, to MSDC ZEC Investments, LLC, Senator Sidecar Master Fund LP, Winmill Investments LLC, O-CAP Offshore Master Fund, L.P., O-CAP Partners, L.P., Permal Talara Ltd., Blackwell Partners, LLC, Talara Master Fund, Ltd. and Capital Ventures International. The Warrants were issued in reliance upon applicable exemptions from registration under Section 4(2) and Regulation D of the Securities Act. The Warrants represent approximately 20.6% of the outstanding shares of our common stock on an as-converted and fully-diluted basis.

        The Warrants expire in five years and are exercisable at any time after the six month anniversary of the issuance date. The Warrants contain a cashless exercise provision and become exercisable at the option of the holder at any time beginning August 17, 2012. ZaZa can force exercise of the Warrants at any time beginning February 21, 2015 if the daily VWAP of our common stock is, at the time of such conversion, greater than or equal to $10.00 per share for the prior 45 consecutive trading day period. The Warrants expire at 5:00 p.m., Central time, on February 21, 2017. The exercise price of the Warrants is $3.15 per share, subject to certain anti-dilution protections, including, but not limited to, stock splits and stock dividends, and below strike price or below market price issuances. The Warrants also prohibit the payment of cash dividends for so long as the Warrants remain outstanding. In addition, until January 21, 2017, a holder of Warrants will not be entitled to receive shares of our common stock upon exercise of such warrants to the extent that such receipt would result in the holder becoming a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder) of a number of shares of our common stock exceeding a maximum percentage of the total number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, unless such limitation has been terminated with 61 days' notice from the holder. The maximum percentage of our common stock that a holder of a Warrant may beneficially own is initially 5% but may be increased to 10% for so long as such holder plus any other person with which such holder is considered to be part of a group under Section 13 of the Exchange Act or with which such holder otherwise files reports under Sections 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act beneficially owns in excess of 5% of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock (excluding shares issuable under Warrants or any other convertible security having a

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similar limitation). Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change as set forth in the Warrants, ZaZa will make an offer to repurchase all Warrants at the option value of the Warrant using Black-Scholes calculation methods and making certain assumptions described in the Black-Scholes methodology as set forth in the Warrants. The Purchasers entered into lock-up agreements with respect to sales (including hedging) of the Warrants for a period of 180 days from the date of the SPA.

Item 16.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

        The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index to this registration statement are hereby incorporated by reference.

Item 17.    Undertakings.

        A.    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)  To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

         (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

        (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement.

        (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

        B.    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        C.    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of

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expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on September 21, 2012.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Todd Alan Brooks and Ian H. Fay, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on September 21, 2012.

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EXHIBITS

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