<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>mmr 8K 1-19-2005</TITLE><!-- Licensed to: FM Services--><!-- Document Created using EDGARIZER HTML --><!-- Copyright 2004 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company.--><!-- All rights reserved EDGARfilings.com --></HEAD>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">FORM 8-K</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">CURRENT REPORT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 19, 2005</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">McMoRan Exploration Co.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Delaware</FONT></DIV></TD>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">001-07791</FONT></DIV></TD>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">72-1424200</FONT></DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">(IRS Employer Identification Number)</FONT></DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">1615 Poydras Street</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">New Orleans, Louisiana 70112</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (504) 582-4000</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">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:</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Item 1.01. </FONT><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif"><U>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</U></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR) is a party to a service agreement with FM Services Company (FM Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper &amp; Gold Inc., under which FM Services provides MMR with executive, technical, administrative, accounting, financial, tax and other services pursuant to a fixed fee arrangement. FM Services entered into a supplemental consulting agreement with B. M. Rankin, Jr. This supplemental agreement renews the consulting agreement previously entered into with Mr. Rankin for an additional one-year period beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2005. All terms and conditions of Mr. Rankin&#146;s original consulting agreement remain unchanged. Mr. Rankin is a director of MMR.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Item 9.01. </FONT><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif"><U>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</U></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">The Exhibit included as part of this Current Report is listed in the attached Exhibit Index.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">SIGNATURE</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">McMoRan Exploration Co.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">By: /s/ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Vice President and Controller -</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">(authorized signatory and</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=justify><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Date: January 24, 2005</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=center><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Exhibit Index</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align=left><FONT style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, sans-serif">Supplemental Consulting Agreement between FM Services Company and B. M. Rankin, Jr., effective as of January 1, 2005. </FONT></DIV></TD></TR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO /DE/", "cik": "0000064279", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "721424200", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-07791", "film-number": "05544020"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1615 POYDRAS ST", "city": "NEW ORLEANS", "state": "LA", "zip": "70112", "phone": "5045824000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1615 POYDRAS ST", "city": "NEW ORLEANS", "state": "LA", "zip": "70112"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "MCMORAN OIL & GAS CO", "date-changed": "19970707"}, {"former-conformed-name": "MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO", "date-changed": "19790223"}, {"former-conformed-name": "HORN SILVER MINES CO", "date-changed": "19720620"}]}
mmr 8K 1-19-2005
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 19, 2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Delaware
001-07791
72-1424200
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification 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 1.01.
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR) is a party to a service agreement with FM Services Company (FM Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., under which FM Services provides MMR with executive, technical, administrative, accounting, financial, tax and other services pursuant to a fixed fee arrangement. FM Services entered into a supplemental consulting agreement with B. M. Rankin, Jr. This supplemental agreement renews the consulting agreement previously entered into with Mr. Rankin for an additional one-year period beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2005. All terms and conditions of Mr. Rankin's original consulting agreement remain unchanged. Mr. Rankin is a director of MMR.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c)        Exhibits.
The Exhibit included as part of this Current Report is 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.
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C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
Vice President and Controller -
Financial Reporting
(authorized signatory and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: January 24, 2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
10.1
Supplemental Consulting Agreement between FM Services Company and B. M. Rankin, Jr., effective as of January 1, 2005.