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<TITLE>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</TITLE>
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<META NAME="date" CONTENT="12/01/2004">
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><font size="3">U</font><font style="font-size: 11pt">NITED
STATES</P>
</font><font style="font-size: 11pt" size="3">
<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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>FORM 8-K</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>CURRENT REPORT</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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Date of Report (Date of
earliest event reported): &nbsp;December 1, 2004</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<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;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;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;
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; (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;&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;
(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;(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;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;File Number) </P>
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&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;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;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; Number)</P>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Registrant's telephone
number, including area code: &nbsp;(504) 582-4000</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; ">
<font style="font-size: 11pt">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></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial; "><font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR>
</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; ">
<font style="font-size: 11pt">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial; "><font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR>
</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; ">
<font style="font-size: 11pt">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial; "><font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR>
</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; ">
<font style="font-size: 11pt">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial; "><font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR>
</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; line-height:11pt; font-family:Arial; ">
<font style="font-size: 11pt">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to
Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial; "><font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR>
</font></P>
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Item 8.01. &nbsp;<U>Other Events.</U></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press
release, dated December 1, 2004, announcing positive drilling results at the
South Marsh Island Block 217 Hurricane Upthrown prospect, and updating its Gulf
of Mexico drilling activities (see exhibit 99.1). &nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">Item 9.01 &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Financial Statements and
Exhibits.</U></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Exhibits.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:108pt; 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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
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<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>SIGNATURE</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:72pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>
McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=justify>Date: &nbsp;December 1, 2004</P>
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<font style="font-size: 11pt"><BR></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>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">Exhibit </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><U>Number</U></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></font></P>
<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">
  99.1</P>
</TD><TD valign=top width=19.2>&nbsp;</TD><TD valign=top width=595.2><P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">
  Press release dated December 1, 2004, titled
  &quot;McMoRan Exploration Co. Announces Positive Drilling Results at South Marsh
  Island Block 217 Hurricane Upthrown Prospect and Updates Gulf of Mexico
  Drilling Activities.&quot;</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>
</TABLE>
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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": "041177346"}, "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
U
NITED
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):  December 1, 2004
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 December 1, 2004, announcing positive drilling results at the
South Marsh Island Block 217 Hurricane Upthrown prospect, 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:  December 1, 2004
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
99.1
Press release dated December 1, 2004, titled
  "McMoRan Exploration Co. Announces Positive Drilling Results at South Marsh
  Island Block 217 Hurricane Upthrown Prospect and Updates Gulf of Mexico
  Drilling Activities."