<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE> </TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#ffffff" style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>




<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2006</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>Securities Act Registration No. 333-_______</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>Exchange Act File No. 001-31539</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="border:none;border-bottom:solid .05em;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">
<div style="border:none;border-bottom:solid .05em;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">
<p>&nbsp;</p></div></div><BR>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>UNITED STATES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Washington, D.C.  20549</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>FORM S-8</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="258" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;border-color:gray'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Delaware</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="173" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="207" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>41-0518430</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="258" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of</font></p> </td>
        <td width="173" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="207" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(IRS Employer</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="258" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>incorporation or organization)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="173" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="207" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Identification No.)</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Denver, Colorado 80203</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Full title of the plan)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Mark A. Hellerstein</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Denver, Colorado 80203</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Name and address of agent for service)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>(303) 861-8140</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'>
<B><font SIZE=2>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="647" style='border-collapse:collapse; '>
    <tr >
        <td width="125" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Title of securities</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>to be registered</font></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="132" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Amount to be </font><u><font size=2>registered</font></u></p> </td>
        <td width="144" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Proposed maximum offering price</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>per share</font></u></p> </td>
        <td width="138" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Proposed maximum aggregate offering</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>price</font></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="108" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Amount of </font><u><font size=2>registration fee</font></u></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="125" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Common stock,</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>$0.01 par value <sup>(1)</sup></font></p> </td>
        <td width="132" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:8.25pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>2,600,225 shares</font></p> </td>
        <td width="144" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>$37.63<sup>(2)</sup></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="138" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:13.5pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>$97,846,466.75</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:48.0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u>&nbsp;</u></p> </td>
        <td width="108" valign=top style='padding:0in .05in 0in .05in'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>$10,469.57<sup>(3)(4)</sup></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>_______________</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2><sup>&nbsp;</sup></font></p>
<sup>&nbsp;</sup>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="24" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2><sup>(1)</sup></font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Includes associated stock purchase rights under the registrant&#146;s shareholder rights plan adopted on July 15, 1999, as amended, that are deemed to be delivered with each share of common stock issued by the registrant and currently are not separately transferable apart from the common stock.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<sup>&nbsp;</sup>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in; text-indent:-0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<sup>&nbsp;</sup>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="24" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2><sup>(2)</sup></font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, the price shown is based upon the price of $37.63 per share, which is the average of the high and low selling prices for the registrant&#146;s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 16, 2006.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<sup>&nbsp;</sup>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in; text-indent:-0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<sup>&nbsp;</sup>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="24" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2><sup>(3)</sup></font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Calculated under Section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 as 0.000107 of $97,846,466.75.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<sup>&nbsp;</sup>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in; text-indent:-0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<sup>&nbsp;</sup>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="24" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2><sup>(4) </sup></font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Of the total of 2,600,225 shares registered under this Registration Statement, a total of 579,351 shares were previously registered under a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-106438) of St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company filed on June 25, 2003 (the &#147;Prior S-8 Registration Statement&#148;), and the balance of the shares are newly registered shares.  Such 579,351 shares (the &#147;Carried Forward Shares&#148;) have not been offered or sold pursuant to the Prior S-8 Registration Statement.  Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the registration fee of $10,469.57 for this Registration Statement is offset by a registration fee of $1,268.76 previously paid by St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company for the Prior S-8 Registration Statement with respect to the Carried Forward Shares.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<sup>&nbsp;</sup>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.25in; text-indent:-0.25in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>EXPLANATORY NOTE</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan shall serve as the successor to the St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company Incentive Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company Restricted Stock Plan and the St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (collectively, referred to as the Predecessor Plans), and no further grants shall be made under the Predecessor Plans from and after the effective date of the St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.  The St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan covers a stated total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, plus 600,225 remaining shares of common stock available under the Predecessor Plans.  </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Part I</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the of St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933.  Those documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Part II</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The following documents filed by the registrant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this registration statement:</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>(1)</p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>The registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005;</p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:left;'>&nbsp;</p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>(2)</p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>The registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006;</p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:left;'>&nbsp;</p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>(3)</p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>The registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2006, February 24, 2006, March 13, 2006, April 7, 2006, April 21, 2006, April&nbsp;25,&nbsp;2006 and May 4, 2006 (in each case, except for information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 thereof); and</p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1.5in; text-indent:-0.5in;text-align:left;'>&nbsp;</p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="96" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>(4) </p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>The description of the registrant&#146;s common stock, par value $0.01, contained in the registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 12, 2002, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</p> </td> </tr></table>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>&nbsp;</p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>All documents filed by the registrant subsequent to the date of this registration statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment hereto which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters any securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference in this registration statement 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 and supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 4.  Description of Securities.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>1</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The registrant is a Delaware corporation.  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law contains provisions for the indemnification and insurance of directors, officers employees and agents of a Delaware corporation against liabilities which they may incur in their capacities as such.  Those provisions have the following general effects:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(a)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>A Delaware corporation may indemnify a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) if the person acted in good faith and in a manner such 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&#146;s conduct was unlawful.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(b)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>A Delaware corporation may indemnify a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation in an action or suit by or in the right of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such 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 liable to the corporation (except under certain circumstances).</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(c)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>A Delaware corporation must indemnify a present or former director or officer against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of the action, suit or proceeding.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(d)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>A Delaware corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising from such person&#146;s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The registrant&#146;s certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions to the general effect that the registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of the registrant against liabilities which such person may incur in such person&#146;s capacities as such.  In addition, pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the registrant&#146;s certificate of incorporation provides that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable 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:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(a)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>2</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(b)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(c)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to unlawful payment of dividends or stock repurchases); or</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="640" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="96" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p  style='margin-left:0in;text-indent:0in'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(d)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="496" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The registrant also maintains directors&#146; and officers&#146; insurance covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by directors and officers in the performance of their duties.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="132" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="56" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Item 8.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="76" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>Exhibits.</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The following exhibits are furnished as part of this registration statement:</font></p>


<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Exhibit</font><br> <font size=2>No.</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:178.5pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Description</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>St.&nbsp;Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company Shareholder Rights Plan adopted on July 15, 1999 (filed on October 4, 1999 as Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>First Amendment to Shareholder Rights Plan dated March&nbsp;15,&nbsp;2002 as adopted by the Board of Directors on July 19, 2001 (filed on March 19, 2002 as Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.3</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Second Amendment to Shareholder Rights Plan dated effective as of April 24,&nbsp;2006 (filed on April 25, 2006 as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>5.1*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews &amp; Ingersoll, LLP</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>23.1*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>23.2*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews &amp; Ingersoll, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>23.3*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>23.4*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Netherland, Sewell &amp; Associates, Inc.</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>24.1*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof)</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="64" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>99.1*</font></p> </td>
        <td width="16" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="559" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>St. Mary Land &amp; Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>____________________________</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>* Filed herewith.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>3</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<b><font size=2>Item 9.  Undertakings.</font></b></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="507" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p  style='text-indent:0in'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="48" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(a)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="411" nowrap valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 12.0pt 0in; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Rule 415 Offering.  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(1)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(i)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(ii)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the 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 Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:1in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(iii)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>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;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in 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 Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(2)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.5in; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(3)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>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.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(b)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or &nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'>
<font size=2>(c)</font><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font size=2>Filing of Registration Statement on Form S-8.  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any provision or arrangement whereby the registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 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.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>5</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SIGNATURES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><b><font size=2>The Registrant.</font></b><font size=2>  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on May 17, 2006.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>ST. MARY LAND &amp; EXPLORATION COMPANY</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:2.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>By:  </font><u><font size=2>/S/ MARK A. HELLERSTEIN</font></u><font size=2> </font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="515" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="269" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="140" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Mark A. Hellerstein,</font></p> </td>
        <td   colspan="2">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="269" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="2" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors,</font></p> </td>
        <td  width="12">
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="269" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  nowrap colspan="3" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>President and Chief Executive Officer</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="269" ></td>

        <td width="140" ></td>

        <td width="93" ></td>

        <td width="12" ></td> </tr> </table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes, constitutes and appoints Mark A. Hellerstein and David W. Honeyfield his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, and each with full power to act alone, for the undersigned and in his or her own name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments and other amendments thereto) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing as the undersigned could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by  virtue hereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:12pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="638" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Signature</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Title</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Date</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ MARK A. HELLERSTEIN</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Mark A. Hellerstein</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors,</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>President and Chief Executive</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Officer</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ DAVID W. HONEYFIELD</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>David W. Honeyfield</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Vice President &#150; Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ GARRY A. WILKENING</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Garry A. Wilkening</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Vice President &#150; Administration and Controller</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
</p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>6</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<pAGE>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ BARBARA M. BAUMANN</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Barbara M. Baumann</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ LARRY W. BICKLE</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Larry W. Bickle</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ THOMAS E. CONGDON</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Thomas E. Congdon</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ WILLIAM J. GARDINER</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>William J. Gardiner</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ JOHN M. SEIDL</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>John M. Seidl</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="223" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><font size=2>/S/ WILLIAM D. SULLIVAN</font></u></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>William D. Sullivan</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="252" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="127" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>May 17, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="336" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="308" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="28" nowrap valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>7</font></p> </td> </tr></table>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "s8_051706.htm", "description": "S-8 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN 05/17/06", "secsgml_size_bytes": 80711}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ST MARY LAND & EXPLORATION CO", "cik": "0000893538", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "410518430", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-134221", "film-number": "06849825"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1776 LINCOLN ST STE 700", "city": "DENVER", "state": "CO", "zip": "80203", "phone": "303-861-8140"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2006
Securities Act Registration No. 333-_______
Exchange Act File No. 001-31539
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
41-0518430
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80203
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Mark A. Hellerstein
Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver, Colorado 80203
(Name and address of agent for service)
(303) 861-8140
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount to be
registered
Proposed maximum offering price
per share
Proposed maximum aggregate offering
price
Amount of
registration fee
Common stock,
$0.01 par value
(1)
2,600,225 shares
$37.63
(2)
$97,846,466.75
$10,469.57
(3)(4)
_______________
(1)
Includes associated stock purchase rights under the registrant's shareholder rights plan adopted on July 15, 1999, as amended, that are deemed to be delivered with each share of common stock issued by the registrant and currently are not separately transferable apart from the common stock.
(2)
Solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, the price shown is based upon the price of $37.63 per share, which is the average of the high and low selling prices for the registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 16, 2006.
(3)
Calculated under Section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 as 0.000107 of $97,846,466.75.
(4)
Of the total of 2,600,225 shares registered under this Registration Statement, a total of 579,351 shares were previously registered under a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-106438) of St. Mary Land & Exploration Company filed on June 25, 2003 (the "Prior S-8 Registration Statement"), and the balance of the shares are newly registered shares.  Such 579,351 shares (the "Carried Forward Shares") have not been offered or sold pursuant to the Prior S-8 Registration Statement.  Pursuant to Rule 457(p), the registration fee of $10,469.57 for this Registration Statement is offset by a registration fee of $1,268.76 previously paid by St. Mary Land & Exploration Company for the Prior S-8 Registration Statement with respect to the Carried Forward Shares.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan shall serve as the successor to the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Incentive Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Restricted Stock Plan and the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (collectively, referred to as the Predecessor Plans), and no further grants shall be made under the Predecessor Plans from and after the effective date of the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.  The St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan covers a stated total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, plus 600,225 remaining shares of common stock available under the Predecessor Plans.
Part I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the of St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933.  Those documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Part II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the registrant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this registration statement:
(1)
The registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005;
(2)
The registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006;
(3)
The registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2006, February 24, 2006, March 13, 2006, April 7, 2006, April 21, 2006, April 25, 2006 and May 4, 2006 (in each case, except for information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 thereof); and
(4)
The description of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.01, contained in the registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 12, 2002, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the registrant subsequent to the date of this registration statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment hereto which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters any securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference in this registration statement 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 and supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
1
Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The registrant is a Delaware corporation.  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law contains provisions for the indemnification and insurance of directors, officers employees and agents of a Delaware corporation against liabilities which they may incur in their capacities as such.  Those provisions have the following general effects:
(a)
A Delaware corporation may indemnify a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) if the person acted in good faith and in a manner such 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.
(b)
A Delaware corporation may indemnify a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation in an action or suit by or in the right of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such 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 liable to the corporation (except under certain circumstances).
(c)
A Delaware corporation must indemnify a present or former director or officer against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to the extent that such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of the action, suit or proceeding.
(d)
A Delaware corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising from 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 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The registrant's certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions to the general effect that the registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of the registrant against liabilities which such person may incur in such person's capacities as such.  In addition, pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the registrant's certificate of incorporation provides that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable 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:
(a)
for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
2
(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 Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to unlawful payment of dividends or stock repurchases); or
(d)
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
The registrant also maintains directors' and officers' insurance covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by directors and officers in the performance of their duties.
Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are furnished as part of this registration statement:
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Shareholder Rights Plan adopted on July 15, 1999 (filed on October 4, 1999 as Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.2
First Amendment to Shareholder Rights Plan dated March 15, 2002 as adopted by the Board of Directors on July 19, 2001 (filed on March 19, 2002 as Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference)
4.3
Second Amendment to Shareholder Rights Plan dated effective as of April 24, 2006 (filed on April 25, 2006 as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference)
5.1*
Opinion of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
23.1*
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2*
Consent of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.3*
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.4*
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
24.1*
Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereof)
99.1*
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan
____________________________
* Filed herewith.
3
Item 9.  Undertakings.
(a)
Rule 415 Offering.  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 this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the 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 Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(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 the undertakings set forth in 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 Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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; and
(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)
Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or  15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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.
4
(c)
Filing of Registration Statement on Form S-8.  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any provision or arrangement whereby the registrant may indemnify a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 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
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on May 17, 2006.
ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
By:
/S/ MARK A. HELLERSTEIN
Mark A. Hellerstein,
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes, constitutes and appoints Mark A. Hellerstein and David W. Honeyfield his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, and each with full power to act alone, for the undersigned and in his or her own name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments and other amendments thereto) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing as the undersigned could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by  virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/S/ MARK A. HELLERSTEIN
Mark A. Hellerstein
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
May 17, 2006
/S/ DAVID W. HONEYFIELD
David W. Honeyfield
Vice President – Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
May 17, 2006
/S/ GARRY A. WILKENING
Garry A. Wilkening
Vice President – Administration and Controller
May 17, 2006
6
/S/ BARBARA M. BAUMANN
Barbara M. Baumann
Director
May 17, 2006
/S/ LARRY W. BICKLE
Larry W. Bickle
Director
May 17, 2006
/S/ THOMAS E. CONGDON
Thomas E. Congdon
Director
May 17, 2006
/S/ WILLIAM J. GARDINER
William J. Gardiner
Director
May 17, 2006
/S/ JOHN M. SEIDL
John M. Seidl
Director
May 17, 2006
/S/ WILLIAM D. SULLIVAN
William D. Sullivan
Director
May 17, 2006
7