<!doctype html public "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<BODY style="line-height:12pt; font-size:10pt; color:#000000">
<B> <P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:1728pt; "><font size="3"><BR>&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</font>
</B><font size="3">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Washington, D.C. &nbsp;20549</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left><BR>&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;&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;
FORM 8-K</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&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; </P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&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;
CURRENT REPORT</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): &nbsp;July 7, 2003</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">&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;&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;McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Delaware</font></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:144pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:180pt">
<font size="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;001-07791 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:288pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;72-1424200</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;(State or other</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:108pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:180pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Commission</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt">(IRS Employer </P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;jurisdiction of</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:180pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;File Number) </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:324pt">Identification</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;incorporation or</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:252pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:288pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Number)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;organization)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&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;
1615 Poydras Street</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=left>&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
New Orleans, Louisiana &nbsp;70112</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:95.6pt">Registrant's telephone number, including area code: &nbsp;(504) 582-4000</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<BR>
<BR>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:14.4pt; text-indent:-14.4pt"><U>It<b>em 5.
Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure</b></U></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press release dated July
7, 2003 announcing the sale of an additional $30 million of 6% Convertible
Senior Notes and the completion of its $130 million Convertible Senior Note
Offering (Exhibit 99.1). &nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center>SIGNATURE</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center>------------------</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt">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, thereunto duly authorized.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-------------------------------------</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;C.
Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Vice President
&amp; Controller-</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Financial Reporting&nbsp;&nbsp; </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;(authorized signatory and </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:216pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;Principal Accounting Officer)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">Date: &nbsp;July 7, 2003</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center>McMoRan Exploration Co. </P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center>Exhibit Index</P>
<P style="margin:0pt" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">Exhibit</P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><U>Number</U></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; padding-left:19.5pt; text-indent:-19.5pt">99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:19.5pt">&nbsp; Press Release dated July 7, 2003 &nbsp;&#147;McMoRan Exploration Co.
Announce Sale of an Additional $30,000,000 of 6% Convertible Senior Notes due 2008,
Completing $130,000,000 Convertible Note Offering.&#148;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; padding-left:19.5pt; text-indent:-19.5pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR></P>
<BR>
</font>
<B> <P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:1728pt; "><font size="3"><BR></font>
</B></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><font size="3"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:36pt; text-indent:360pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:36pt; padding-right:36pt; line-height:15pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:36pt; padding-right:36pt; line-height:15pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:36pt; padding-right:36pt; text-indent:396pt; line-height:15pt; font-size:12pt"><BR></P>
<font size="3">
<BR>
</font>
</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "shoe.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 10560}]
{"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": "03776234"}, "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"}]}
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):  July 7, 2003
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Delaware
001-07791
72-1424200
(State or other
(Commission
(IRS Employer
jurisdiction of
File Number)
Identification
incorporation or
Number)
organization)
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana  70112
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (504) 582-4000
It
em 5.
Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure
McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press release dated July
7, 2003 announcing the sale of an additional $30 million of 6% Convertible
Senior Notes and the completion of its $130 million Convertible Senior Note
Offering (Exhibit 99.1).
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, thereunto duly authorized.
McMoRan Exploration Co.
By:  
 /s/    C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
-------------------------------------
C.
Donald Whitmire, Jr.
Vice President
& Controller-
Financial Reporting
(authorized signatory and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Date:  July 7, 2003
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
99.1
Press Release dated July 7, 2003  "McMoRan Exploration Co.
Announce Sale of an Additional $30,000,000 of 6% Convertible Senior Notes due 2008,
Completing $130,000,000 Convertible Note Offering."