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<TITLE>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</TITLE>
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<META NAME="date" CONTENT="12/29/2004">
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>UNITED STATES</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Washington, D.C. &nbsp;20549</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>FORM 8-K</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>CURRENT REPORT</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): &nbsp;January
5, 2005</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
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<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Delaware &nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;001-07791 </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;72-1424200</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (State or other</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:144pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (Commission</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:288pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (IRS Employer </P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;jurisdiction of</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:144pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; File Number) </P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:288pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Identification</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;incorporation)</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:288pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Number)</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>1615 Poydras Street</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>New Orleans, Louisiana &nbsp;70112</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Registrant's telephone number, including area code: &nbsp;(504) 582-4000</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; font-size:9pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; font-size:9pt">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; font-size:9pt">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; font-size:9pt">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; font-size:9pt">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:72pt; text-indent:-72pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>Item 8.01. &nbsp;<U>Other Events.</U></P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press
release, dated January 5, 2005, announcing the establishment of production at
Eugene Island Block 193 - Deep Tern and updating its Gulf of Mexico drilling
activities <FONT FACE="Helvetica">(see exhibit 99.1). &nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">Item 9.01 &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</U></P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">The Exhibits included as part of this Current Report are listed in the attached Exhibit Index. &nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:108pt; font-family:Arial"><FONT FACE="Courier New">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>SIGNATURE</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>By: \s\ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;----------------------------------------</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President and Controller - </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Reporting</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(authorized signatory and</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Principal Accounting Officer)</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>Date: &nbsp;January 5,
2005</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Exhibit Index</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">Exhibit </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><U>Number</U></P>
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<TABLE cellspacing=0 cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"><TR><TD valign=top width=38.4><P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">
  <font size="2">99.1</font></P>
</TD><TD valign=top width=19.2>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=595.2><P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">
  <font size="2">Press release dated January 5, 2005, titled &#147;McMoRan Exploration Co.
  Establishes Production at Eugene Island Block 193 - Deep Tern and Updates Gulf
  of Mexico Drilling Activities.&#148;</font></P>
</TD></TR>
<TR><TD valign=top width=38.4>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=19.2>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=595.2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January
5, 2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Delaware
001-07791
72-1424200
(State or other
(Commission
(IRS Employer
jurisdiction of
File Number)
Identification
incorporation)
Number)
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana  70112
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (504) 582-4000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01.
Other Events.
McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press
release, dated January 5, 2005, announcing the establishment of production at
Eugene Island Block 193 - Deep Tern and updating its Gulf of Mexico drilling
activities
(see exhibit 99.1).
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c)        Exhibits.
The Exhibits included as part of this Current Report are listed in the attached Exhibit Index.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
McMoRan Exploration Co.
By: \s\ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
----------------------------------------
C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
Vice President and Controller -
Financial Reporting
(authorized signatory and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Date:  January 5,
2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
99.1
Press release dated January 5, 2005, titled "McMoRan Exploration Co.
  Establishes Production at Eugene Island Block 193 - Deep Tern and Updates Gulf
  of Mexico Drilling Activities."