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):  September 5, 2000



                          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 5.   Other Events.

Explorations drilling - operations update

McMoRan Exploration Co. (NYSE:MMR) today provided the following
update of its current exploration drilling activities:

 . In August 2000, we completed drilling the Ship Shoal Block
  296 #2 well, which delineated the reserves previously
  discovered by the #1 well.  We are evaluating our development
  alternatives for the discovery at this location and expect
  initial production to commence by mid-2001.  We operate and
  hold a 61.8 percent working interest and a 43.1 percent net
  revenue interest in the wells at Ship Shoal Block 296.  Ship
  Shoal Block 296 covers 5,000 acres and is located in
  approximately 260 feet of water, 62 miles offshore Louisiana.

 . On August 26, 2000, we commenced drilling the Vermilion Block
  196 #2 exploratory well. The proposed total depth on the well
  is 15,000 feet and is located in 115 feet of water.  We
  currently have a 95 percent working interest and a 71.1
  percent net revenue interest in the well.

 . The Garden Banks Block 580 #1 well reached a total depth of
  approximately 10,330 feet in August 2000.  The well was
  evaluated and determined not to be commercially viable and has
  since been plugged and abandoned.  The related well costs of
  approximately $6.0 million will be charged to exploration
  expense during the third quarter of 2000.


The table below sets forth approximate information, as of
September 5, 2000, with respect to exploration prospects upon
which we plan to commence drilling during the remainder of 2000
and early 2001 followed by a brief description of each prospect.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Planned
                                                   Total
                                Net      Water     Depth
Field, Lease      Working     Revenue    Depth    of Well b   Gross  Estimated c
  or Well        Interest a  Interest  (in feet) (in feet)    Acres  Spud Date
---------------- ----------  --------- --------  ----------  ------- -----------
<S>              <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>     <C>
Eugene Island
Block 97            71.3%       51.3%      2       14,500     5,000   3Q 2000

Vermilion Blocks
144/145             95.0%       76.3%      8       17,500     5,937   3Q 2000 d

Grand Isle Block
2 and
West Delta Blocks
1/12/13             71.3%       48.2%     12       20,700     2,788   4Q 2000

Main Pass Block
86/97               71.3%       51.3%     69        9,500     9,989   4Q 2000

Eugene Island
Blocks 193          53.4%       41.7%    100       17,500    12,500   4Q 2000

LA State Lease
 340                54.2%       41.0%      9       18,500    29,919   4Q 2000

Onshore
Vermilion Parish    95.0% e     67.5% e    -       19,000     4,200   1Q 2001

</TABLE>

a. Except as otherwise indicated, reflects minimum estimated
   working and net revenue interests assuming participation
   elections by others, except Halliburton.

b. Reflects currently planned target total depth, which is
   subject to change.

c. Tentative -- subject to change.

d. The Vermilion Block 144 #3 well will re-commence drilling
   prior to October 21, 2000 (see below).

e. Subject to election by a third party to assume one-half of
   interests shown.

_____________________

 . Eugene Island Block 97.  We have identified a combination
  bright spot and structural play on the north portion of a
  north-south trending structural ridge.  The south end of the
  ridge located on Eugene Island Block 108 has produced 178 Bcf
  and 3.4 MMBbls.

 . Vermilion Blocks 144/145.  As previously reported on April 18,
  2000, we reached the contracted turnkey depth of approximately
  15,000 feet at the Vermilion Block 144 #3 well.  We have set
  protective casing and have temporarily abandoned the well.
  These drilling activities have extended the lease expiration
  date by 180 days to October 2000.  The estimated additional
  costs to reach a proposed depth of 17,500 feet are $4.7
  million.  We are continuing discussions with industry
  participants regarding their participation in our exploration
  program, including this well.  We currently own a 95 percent
  working interest and a 76.3 percent net revenue in the
  prospect.  The well is a deeper pool exploratory test of a
  formation below sands that have a cumulative production of 140
  Bcfe.  Vermilion Block 144 is directly north of where we
  drilled the Vermilion Block 159 CJ#1 well discovery and east
  of our Vermilion Block 160 unit.

 . Grand Isle Block 2 & West Delta Blocks 1/12/13.  We have
  identified a bright spot play that contains stacked amplitudes
  from 17,000 to 20,000 feet total vertical depth (TVD).
  Analogs nearby are the Queen Bess Island field that produced
  262 Bcf and West Delta 17/18 that produced 159 Bcf.

 . Main Pass Blocks 86/97.  The prospect targets from 9,500 to
  10,500 feet TVD.  These sands are the same stratigraphic
  intervals that are producing natural gas and condensate in the
   adjacent Main Pass Block 162.

 . Eugene Island Blocks 193.  These blocks are within a producing
  field that has cumulatively produced 243 Bcf and 64.6 MMBbls.
   Bright spot and structural plays have been identified on the
  north and south flanks of a salt dome centered in Eugene
  Island Block 208.  We plan to drill the exploration wells from
  an existing platform.  We acquired our interest in this
  property for approximately $0.3 million, and the assumptions
  of an abandonment obligation associated with existing wells
  and platforms at the location.  As previously announced, we
  re-established sustained production at approximately 800
  barrels per day (350 barrels per day net to our interest) from
  four wells in the field during June 2000.

 . Louisiana State Lease 340.  We are mapping over 200 square
  miles of proprietary 3-D seismic data and have identified two
  separate prospects in the area, which covers approximately
  62,000 acres.  These prospects are located in an established
  producing area which has cumulative production totaling
  approximately 53.9 million barrels of oil and 5.8 Tcf of gas.

 . Onshore Vermilion Seismic Option.  We entered into a seismic
  option covering 4,200 acres near one of the most prolific
  producing fields located in the coastal region of Vermilion
  Parish, Louisiana.  This option allows us to review the
  geological data and acquire and map the 3-D seismic data prior
  to committing to drill an exploratory well.  We can earn from
  50 percent to 75 percent working interest under certain terms
  and conditions.  Our objectives occur at depths of 15,500 to
  18,500 feet TVD (19,000 feet measured depth).  The prospect is
  positioned on a significant structural closure located 2.5
  miles west of and separate from a large gas field that has
  produced nearly 2 Tcfe.

  We are evaluating our current lease inventory and are in the
process of reviewing potential prospects that have lease
expiration dates during 2000.  This review process may add new
prospects to our 2000 and 2001 drilling plans, in which case the
anticipated spud dates for some of the prospects described above
may change.



                            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:  September 6, 2000
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "0001.txt", "secsgml_size_bytes": 8904}]
{"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": "717657"}, "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"}}
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):  September 5, 2000

                          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 5.   Other Events.

Explorations drilling - operations update

McMoRan Exploration Co. (NYSE:MMR) today provided the following
update of its current exploration drilling activities:

 . In August 2000, we completed drilling the Ship Shoal Block
  296 #2 well, which delineated the reserves previously
  discovered by the #1 well.  We are evaluating our development
  alternatives for the discovery at this location and expect
  initial production to commence by mid-2001.  We operate and
  hold a 61.8 percent working interest and a 43.1 percent net
  revenue interest in the wells at Ship Shoal Block 296.  Ship
  Shoal Block 296 covers 5,000 acres and is located in
  approximately 260 feet of water, 62 miles offshore Louisiana.

 . On August 26, 2000, we commenced drilling the Vermilion Block
  196 #2 exploratory well. The proposed total depth on the well
  is 15,000 feet and is located in 115 feet of water.  We
  currently have a 95 percent working interest and a 71.1
  percent net revenue interest in the well.

 . The Garden Banks Block 580 #1 well reached a total depth of
  approximately 10,330 feet in August 2000.  The well was
  evaluated and determined not to be commercially viable and has
  since been plugged and abandoned.  The related well costs of
  approximately $6.0 million will be charged to exploration
  expense during the third quarter of 2000.

The table below sets forth approximate information, as of
September 5, 2000, with respect to exploration prospects upon
which we plan to commence drilling during the remainder of 2000
and early 2001 followed by a brief description of each prospect.
Planned
                                                   Total
                                Net      Water     Depth
Field, Lease      Working     Revenue    Depth    of Well b   Gross  Estimated c
  or Well        Interest a  Interest  (in feet) (in feet)    Acres  Spud Date
---------------- ----------  --------- --------  ----------  ------- -----------
Eugene Island
Block 97            71.3%       51.3%      2       14,500     5,000   3Q 2000

Vermilion Blocks
144/145             95.0%       76.3%      8       17,500     5,937   3Q 2000 d

Grand Isle Block
2 and
West Delta Blocks
1/12/13             71.3%       48.2%     12       20,700     2,788   4Q 2000

Main Pass Block
86/97               71.3%       51.3%     69        9,500     9,989   4Q 2000

Eugene Island
Blocks 193          53.4%       41.7%    100       17,500    12,500   4Q 2000

LA State Lease
 340                54.2%       41.0%      9       18,500    29,919   4Q 2000

Onshore
Vermilion Parish    95.0% e     67.5% e    -       19,000     4,200   1Q 2001
a. Except as otherwise indicated, reflects minimum estimated
   working and net revenue interests assuming participation
   elections by others, except Halliburton.

b. Reflects currently planned target total depth, which is
   subject to change.

c. Tentative -- subject to change.

d. The Vermilion Block 144 #3 well will re-commence drilling
   prior to October 21, 2000 (see below).

e. Subject to election by a third party to assume one-half of
   interests shown.

_____________________

 . Eugene Island Block 97.  We have identified a combination
  bright spot and structural play on the north portion of a
  north-south trending structural ridge.  The south end of the
  ridge located on Eugene Island Block 108 has produced 178 Bcf
  and 3.4 MMBbls.

 . Vermilion Blocks 144/145.  As previously reported on April 18,
  2000, we reached the contracted turnkey depth of approximately
  15,000 feet at the Vermilion Block 144 #3 well.  We have set
  protective casing and have temporarily abandoned the well.
  These drilling activities have extended the lease expiration
  date by 180 days to October 2000.  The estimated additional
  costs to reach a proposed depth of 17,500 feet are $4.7
  million.  We are continuing discussions with industry
  participants regarding their participation in our exploration
  program, including this well.  We currently own a 95 percent
  working interest and a 76.3 percent net revenue in the
  prospect.  The well is a deeper pool exploratory test of a
  formation below sands that have a cumulative production of 140
  Bcfe.  Vermilion Block 144 is directly north of where we
  drilled the Vermilion Block 159 CJ#1 well discovery and east
  of our Vermilion Block 160 unit.

 . Grand Isle Block 2 & West Delta Blocks 1/12/13.  We have
  identified a bright spot play that contains stacked amplitudes
  from 17,000 to 20,000 feet total vertical depth (TVD).
  Analogs nearby are the Queen Bess Island field that produced
  262 Bcf and West Delta 17/18 that produced 159 Bcf.

 . Main Pass Blocks 86/97.  The prospect targets from 9,500 to
  10,500 feet TVD.  These sands are the same stratigraphic
  intervals that are producing natural gas and condensate in the
   adjacent Main Pass Block 162.

 . Eugene Island Blocks 193.  These blocks are within a producing
  field that has cumulatively produced 243 Bcf and 64.6 MMBbls.
   Bright spot and structural plays have been identified on the
  north and south flanks of a salt dome centered in Eugene
  Island Block 208.  We plan to drill the exploration wells from
  an existing platform.  We acquired our interest in this
  property for approximately $0.3 million, and the assumptions
  of an abandonment obligation associated with existing wells
  and platforms at the location.  As previously announced, we
  re-established sustained production at approximately 800
  barrels per day (350 barrels per day net to our interest) from
  four wells in the field during June 2000.

 . Louisiana State Lease 340.  We are mapping over 200 square
  miles of proprietary 3-D seismic data and have identified two
  separate prospects in the area, which covers approximately
  62,000 acres.  These prospects are located in an established
  producing area which has cumulative production totaling
  approximately 53.9 million barrels of oil and 5.8 Tcf of gas.

 . Onshore Vermilion Seismic Option.  We entered into a seismic
  option covering 4,200 acres near one of the most prolific
  producing fields located in the coastal region of Vermilion
  Parish, Louisiana.  This option allows us to review the
  geological data and acquire and map the 3-D seismic data prior
  to committing to drill an exploratory well.  We can earn from
  50 percent to 75 percent working interest under certain terms
  and conditions.  Our objectives occur at depths of 15,500 to
  18,500 feet TVD (19,000 feet measured depth).  The prospect is
  positioned on a significant structural closure located 2.5
  miles west of and separate from a large gas field that has
  produced nearly 2 Tcfe.

  We are evaluating our current lease inventory and are in the
process of reviewing potential prospects that have lease
expiration dates during 2000.  This review process may add new
prospects to our 2000 and 2001 drilling plans, in which case the
anticipated spud dates for some of the prospects described above
may change.

                            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:  September 6, 2000