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 10, 2002



                     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


Item 4.  Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

     On July 10, 2002, McMoRan Exploration Co. (McMoRan or the
Company) appointed Ernst & Young LLP  (E&Y) to replace Arthur
Andersen LLP (Andersen) as the Company's independent public
accountant.  McMoRan's Board of Directors approved the Audit
Committee's selection of E&Y.  During McMoRan's two most recent
fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, and the subsequent interim
period through July 10, 2002, the Company did not consult with
E&Y regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item
304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

       In connection with the audits of the two fiscal years
ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, and during the subsequent
interim period through July 10, 2002, there were no disagreements
with Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Andersen's
satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in their
opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement.  None of the
reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K occurred during McMoRan's two most recent fiscal years and
through July 10, 2002.

       The audit reports of Andersen on the consolidated
financial statements of McMoRan as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, did not contain any adverse opinion
or disclaimer of opinion nor were they qualified or modified as
to audit scope or accounting principle; however, the audit
opinion for the year ended December 31, 2001 was modified as to
an uncertainty concerning McMoRan's ability to continue as a
"going concern."

     McMoRan has provided Andersen with a copy of the preceding
disclosures.  Andersen has communicated to us that they have
informed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that they
are unable to provide letters that corroborate or invalidate the
statements in this disclosure, as required by the SEC.  As a
result, no such letter is provided with this Form 8-K.  In
addition, Andersen has announced that it will cease to practice
before the SEC effective August 31, 2002.

                            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 and Controller-
                                         Financial Reporting
                                      (authorized signatory and
                                     Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:  July 15, 2002
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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 10, 2002

                     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

Item 4.  Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

     On July 10, 2002, McMoRan Exploration Co. (McMoRan or the
Company) appointed Ernst & Young LLP  (E&Y) to replace Arthur
Andersen LLP (Andersen) as the Company's independent public
accountant.  McMoRan's Board of Directors approved the Audit
Committee's selection of E&Y.  During McMoRan's two most recent
fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, and the subsequent interim
period through July 10, 2002, the Company did not consult with
E&Y regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item
304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

       In connection with the audits of the two fiscal years
ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, and during the subsequent
interim period through July 10, 2002, there were no disagreements
with Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Andersen's
satisfaction would have caused them to make reference in their
opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement.  None of the
reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K occurred during McMoRan's two most recent fiscal years and
through July 10, 2002.

       The audit reports of Andersen on the consolidated
financial statements of McMoRan as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, did not contain any adverse opinion
or disclaimer of opinion nor were they qualified or modified as
to audit scope or accounting principle; however, the audit
opinion for the year ended December 31, 2001 was modified as to
an uncertainty concerning McMoRan's ability to continue as a
"going concern."

     McMoRan has provided Andersen with a copy of the preceding
disclosures.  Andersen has communicated to us that they have
informed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that they
are unable to provide letters that corroborate or invalidate the
statements in this disclosure, as required by the SEC.  As a
result, no such letter is provided with this Form 8-K.  In
addition, Andersen has announced that it will cease to practice
before the SEC effective August 31, 2002.

                            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 and Controller-
                                         Financial Reporting
                                      (authorized signatory and
                                     Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:  July 15, 2002