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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;30, 2004


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B></DIV>



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, DC 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%"></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%"></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>22-2674487</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>1100 Louisiana, Suite&nbsp;2000<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002-5215</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>John H. Karnes<BR>
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
The Houston Exploration Company<BR>
1100 Louisiana, Suite&nbsp;2000<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002-5215</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(713)&nbsp;830-6800</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>Copy to:</I>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Randolph C. Coley<BR>
King &#038; Spalding LLP<BR>
1100 Louisiana, Suite&nbsp;4000<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002-5213<BR>
(713)&nbsp;751-3200</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR align="center" size="1" noshade width="25%">


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<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="17"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B><HR size="2" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Securities to</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
</TR>


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    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock, par value $.01 per share<sup>(1)</sup></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">1,500,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">52.52</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">78,780,000.00</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">9982.00</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>

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    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Issuable upon the exercise of options or awards available for grant under
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time. In accordance with Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), the number of shares of common
stock registered hereby is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act, on the basis of the high
and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July&nbsp;27, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> PART I&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001"> PART II&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010"> EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h17076exv5w1.htm">Opinion of King & Spalding LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h17076exv23w2.htm">Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h17076exv23w3.htm">Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h17076exv23w4.htm">Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<!-- link1 " PART I&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 will be sent or given to each participant in
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, as required by
Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act. Such documents need not
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;), either
as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 below, taken together, constitute a prospectus
that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement covers shares of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of The Houston Exploration Company (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) authorized
for issuance pursuant to The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term
Incentive Plan.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents have been previously filed by The Houston
Exploration Company (the &#147;Company&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) with the Commission and
are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement as of the
dates indicated as filed with the Commission:


<P>

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<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December&nbsp;31,
2003.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Report on Form 8-K dated May&nbsp;24, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Report on Form 8-K dated May&nbsp;27, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(e)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Report on Form 8-K dated June&nbsp;4, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(f)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Report on Form 8-K dated June&nbsp;24, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(g)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Common Stock, included in the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No.&nbsp;001-11899) filed with the
Commission on July&nbsp;5, 1996 and amended on September&nbsp;19, 1996.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange
Act&#148;), subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement that
indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or that
deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained
herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None.

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection (a)&nbsp;of Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
&#147;DGCL&#148;) 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 he 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&#146;
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he 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 his conduct was unlawful.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subsection (b)&nbsp;of Section&nbsp;145 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 such
person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been made 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.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of
any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;of
Section&nbsp;145 in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith; that indemnification
provided for by Section&nbsp;145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that indemnification provided
for by Section&nbsp;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 such person&#146;s heirs,
executors and administrators; and empowers the corporation to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under Section
145.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation, in its certificate of
incorporation, to limit or eliminate, subject to certain statutory limitations,
the liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability (a)&nbsp;for any breach
of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b)
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law, (c)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;174 of the DGCL, or (d)&nbsp;for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;5.07 of the Company&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, states that:

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">"(a) No person who is or was a director of the Corporation shall be personally
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i)&nbsp;for any breach of the
director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;174 of the DGCL or (iv)&nbsp;for any
transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">(b)&nbsp;If the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further
limiting or eliminating the personal liability of directors, then the personal
liability of the directors to the Corporation or its stockholders shall be
limited or eliminated to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended
from time to time.&#148;



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;VIII of the Company&#146;s Restated Bylaws further provides that the
Company shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Pursuant to such provision, the Company has
entered into agreements with various of its officers, directors and employees
that provide for indemnification of such persons.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Although the above discussion summarizes the material provisions of the
Company&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and indemnification agreements
and Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL, it is not intended to be exhaustive and is
qualified in its entirety by each of those documents and that statute.

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit No.</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Houston Exploration Company,
as amended, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on
Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1997 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is
incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Bylaws of The Houston Exploration Company, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2
to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1997 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, filed as
Appendix&nbsp;E to the Company&#146;s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule&nbsp;14A
filed April&nbsp;29, 2004 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of King &#038; Spalding LLP with respect to legality of the securities.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of King &#038; Spalding LLP (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Netherland, Sewell &#038; Associates, Inc.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney of Directors and Officers (set forth on the signature
page contained in this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&#043; Incorporated by reference.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">* Filed herewith.


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>


<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="9%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="9%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>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 this Registration
Statement; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="9%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>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 the Registration Statement;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="9%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for purposes 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.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>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.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan&#146;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 therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>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
Commission 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 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.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 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 the 27th day of July,
2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><B>THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ William G. Hargett</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">William G. Hargett<br>
President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
John H. Karnes and James F. Westmoreland, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and to file any
and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration
Statement with the Commission granting to said attorney-in-fact power and
authority to perform any other act on behalf of the undersigned required to be
done in connection therewith.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William G. Hargett
<HR size="1" noshade>
William G. Hargett
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John H. Karnes
<HR size="1" noshade>
John H. Karnes
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James F. Westmoreland
<HR size="1" noshade>
James F. Westmoreland
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert B. Catell
<HR size="1" noshade>
Robert B. Catell
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John U. Clarke
<HR size="1" noshade>
John U. Clarke
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David G. Elkins
<HR size="1" noshade>
David G. Elkins
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Harold R. Logan, Jr.
<HR size="1" noshade>
Harold R. Logan, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen W. McKessy
<HR size="1" noshade>
Stephen W. McKessy
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Donald C. Vaughn
<HR size="1" noshade>
Donald C. Vaughn
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">July&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit No.</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Houston Exploration Company,
as amended, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on
Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 1997 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is
incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Bylaws of The Houston Exploration Company, filed as Exhibit&nbsp;3.2
to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1997 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3&#043;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, filed as
Appendix&nbsp;E to the Company&#146;s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule&nbsp;14A
filed April&nbsp;29, 2004 (File No.&nbsp;001-11899), is incorporated by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of King &#038; Spalding LLP with respect to legality of the securities.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of King &#038; Spalding LLP (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Netherland, Sewell &#038; Associates, Inc.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney of Directors and Officers (set forth on the signature
page contained in this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&#043; Incorporated by reference.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">* Filed herewith.




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>


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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2004
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
22-2674487
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1100 Louisiana, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77002-5215
(Address of principal executive offices)
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
John H. Karnes
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
The Houston Exploration Company
1100 Louisiana, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77002-5215
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 830-6800
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Randolph C. Coley
King & Spalding LLP
1100 Louisiana, Suite 4000
Houston, Texas 77002-5213
(713) 751-3200
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities to
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
be Registered
Registered
Per Share(2)
Offering Price(2)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(1)
1,500,000
$
52.52
$
78,780,000.00
$
9982.00
(1)
Issuable upon the exercise of options or awards available for grant under
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended
from time to time. In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the number of shares of common
stock registered hereby is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act, on the basis of the high
and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July 27, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I            INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II            INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Opinion of King & Spalding LLP
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 will be sent or given to each participant in
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, as required by
Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act. Such documents need not
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), either
as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement pursuant to Item 3 below, taken together, constitute a prospectus
that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement covers shares of common stock, par value $.01
per share, of The Houston Exploration Company (the "Common Stock") authorized
for issuance pursuant to The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term
Incentive Plan.
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents have been previously filed by The Houston
Exploration Company (the "Company" or the "Registrant") with the Commission and
are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement as of the
dates indicated as filed with the Commission:
(a)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2003.
(b)
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
(c)
Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 24, 2004.
(d)
Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 27, 2004.
(e)
Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 4, 2004.
(f)
Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 2004.
(g)
The description of the Common Stock, included in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11899) filed with the
Commission on July 5, 1996 and amended on September 19, 1996.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement that
indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or that
deregisters all such securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained
herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
2
Table of Contents
Item 5. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.
None.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (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 he 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 him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he 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 his conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (b) of Section 145 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 such
person acted in any of the capacities set forth above, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been made 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.
Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of
any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of
Section 145 in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith; that indemnification
provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that indemnification provided
for by 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 such person's heirs,
executors and administrators; and empowers the corporation to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the corporation
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under Section
145.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation, in its certificate of
incorporation, to limit or eliminate, subject to certain statutory limitations,
the liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability (a) for any breach
of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b)
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (d) for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Section 5.07 of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, states that:
"(a) No person who is or was a director of the Corporation shall be personally
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (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
transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
(b) If the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further
limiting or eliminating the personal liability of directors, then the personal
liability of the directors to the Corporation or its stockholders shall be
limited or eliminated to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended
from time to time."
3
Table of Contents
Article VIII of the Company's Restated Bylaws further provides that the
Company shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the
fullest extent permitted by law. Pursuant to such provision, the Company has
entered into agreements with various of its officers, directors and employees
that provide for indemnification of such persons.
Although the above discussion summarizes the material provisions of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and indemnification agreements
and Section 145 of the DGCL, it is not intended to be exhaustive and is
qualified in its entirety by each of those documents and that statute.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1+
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Houston Exploration Company,
as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 (File No. 001-11899), is
incorporated by reference.
4.2+
Restated Bylaws of The Houston Exploration Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1997 (File No. 001-11899), is incorporated by reference.
4.3+
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, filed as
Appendix E to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
filed April 29, 2004 (File No. 001-11899), is incorporated by reference.
5.1*
Opinion of King & Spalding LLP with respect to legality of the securities.
23.1
Consent of King & Spalding LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).
23.2*
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.3*
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.4*
Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.
24
Powers of Attorney of Directors and Officers (set forth on the signature
page contained in this Registration Statement).
+ Incorporated by reference.
* Filed herewith.
Item 9. 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;
4
Table of Contents
(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 this 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 the Registration Statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement.
(2)
That, for purposes 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 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 therein, 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
Commission 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 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.
5
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 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 the 27th day of July,
2004.
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
By:
/s/ William G. Hargett
William G. Hargett
President and Chief Executive Officer
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
John H. Karnes and James F. Westmoreland, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and to file any
and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration
Statement with the Commission granting to said attorney-in-fact power and
authority to perform any other act on behalf of the undersigned required to be
done in connection therewith.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ William G. Hargett
William G. Hargett
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)
July 27, 2004
/s/ John H. Karnes
John H. Karnes
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
July 27, 2004
/s/ James F. Westmoreland
James F. Westmoreland
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
July 27, 2004
/s/ Robert B. Catell
Robert B. Catell
Director
July 27, 2004
/s/ John U. Clarke
John U. Clarke
Director
July 27, 2004
/s/ David G. Elkins
David G. Elkins
Director
July 27, 2004
/s/ Harold R. Logan, Jr.
Harold R. Logan, Jr.
Director
July 27, 2004
/s/ Stephen W. McKessy
Stephen W. McKessy
Director
July 27, 2004
/s/ Donald C. Vaughn
Donald C. Vaughn
Director
July 27, 2004
6
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1+
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Houston Exploration Company,
as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 (File No. 001-11899), is
incorporated by reference.
4.2+
Restated Bylaws of The Houston Exploration Company, filed as Exhibit 3.2
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1997 (File No. 001-11899), is incorporated by reference.
4.3+
The Houston Exploration Company 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, filed as
Appendix E to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
filed April 29, 2004 (File No. 001-11899), is incorporated by reference.
5.1*
Opinion of King & Spalding LLP with respect to legality of the securities.
23.1
Consent of King & Spalding LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).
23.2*
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.3*
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.4*
Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.
24
Powers of Attorney of Directors and Officers (set forth on the signature
page contained in this Registration Statement).
+ Incorporated by reference.
* Filed herewith.
7