<!doctype html public "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Mmr-1-22-038k3.doc &nbsp;(MMR-1-~4.DOC;1)</TITLE>
<META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="Ethan">
<META NAME="author" CONTENT="EW/LN/CB">
<META NAME="date" CONTENT="07/22/2004">
</HEAD>
<BODY style="line-height:12pt; font-size:10pt; color:#000000">
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier; font-size:11pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></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"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Washington, D.C. &nbsp;20549</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>FORM 8-K</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>CURRENT REPORT</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): &nbsp;July 22, 2004</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>McMoRan Exploration Co.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; 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;Delaware</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:144pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:180pt; 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;001-07791 &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:230pt; font-family:Arial" align="center">&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">&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">&nbsp;&nbsp;&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;(Commission</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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;(IRS Employer </P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;jurisdiction of</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;File Number) </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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Identification</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;incorporation or</P>
<P style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:-12pt; text-indent:288pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Number)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;organization)</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><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"><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>
<BR>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier; font-size:11pt"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:14.4pt; text-indent:-14.4pt; font-family:Arial"><U>Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.</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 July 22, 2004 announcing its second-quarter and six-month 2004 results and updated its Gulf of Mexico drilling and Main Pass Energy Hub<FONT FACE="Helvetica"><SUP>TM</SUP></FONT> activities (Exhibit 99.1). &nbsp;&nbsp;McMoRan also presented slides that are available on its web site and which accompanied its quarterly earnings conference call (Exhibit 99.2). During the quarterly earnings conference call, McMoRan, in response to a question, discussed the status of the litigation between McMoRan and Offshore Specialty Fabricators Inc (OSFI) as described below:</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial">In July 2004, McMoRan settled the litigation with OSFI relating to the turnkey contract for reclamation of Main Pass
Block 299. &nbsp;In accordance with the settlement, OSFI will complete the Main Pass
Block 299 Phase I reclamation work and McMoRan will pay OSFI the remaining $2.5 million balance for  Phase I reclamation. &nbsp;In addition, OSFI will not have any obligations regarding the Phase II reclamation
of Main Pass. &nbsp;Pursuant to the settlement, OSFI will also have an option to participate in the Main Pass Energy Hub<SUP>TM </SUP>project for up to 10 percent on a basis parallel to McMoRan&#146;s agreement with K1 USA Energy Production Corporation (K1 USA). &nbsp;As previously reported, K1 USA has an option to participate as a passive equity investor in up to 15 percent of McMoRan&#146;s equity interest in the Main Pass Energy Hub<SUP>TM &nbsp;</SUP>project by funding its equity share (see Notes 3 and 4 of our 2003 Form 10-K). &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"><BR></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" align=center>SIGNATURE</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center>------------------</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:36pt; font-family:Arial">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; font-family:Arial"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">McMoRan Exploration Co.</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:216pt; font-family:Arial">By: &nbsp;/s/ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;------------------------------------</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vice President &amp; Controller &#150;</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Reporting </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; text-indent:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(authorized signatory and </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:216pt; font-family:Arial">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Principal Accounting Officer)</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">Date: &nbsp;July 22, 2004</P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Arial" align=center><BR></P>
<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; padding-left:40.5pt; text-indent:-40.5pt; font-family:Arial">99.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press release dated July 22, 2004 &#147;McMoRan Exploration Co. Reports Second-Quarter and Six-Month 2004 Results &amp; Updates Gulf of Mexico Drilling &amp; Main Pass Energy Hub<FONT FACE="Helvetica"><SUP>TM</SUP></FONT> Activities.&#148; </P>
<P style="margin:0pt; padding-left:40.5pt; text-indent:-40.5pt; font-family:Arial">99.2 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Slides presented in conjunction with July 22, 2004 McMoRan Second-Quarter 2004 earnings conference call conducted via the internet.</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" align=center><BR></P>
<BR>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></P>
<P style="margin:0pt; font-family:Courier"><BR></P>
</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "mmr722048k.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 10926}]
{"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": "04927156"}, "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-1-22-038k3.doc  (MMR-1-~4.DOC;1)
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 22, 2004
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 12. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.
McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press release dated July 22, 2004 announcing its second-quarter and six-month 2004 results and updated its Gulf of Mexico drilling and Main Pass Energy Hub
TM
activities (Exhibit 99.1).   McMoRan also presented slides that are available on its web site and which accompanied its quarterly earnings conference call (Exhibit 99.2). During the quarterly earnings conference call, McMoRan, in response to a question, discussed the status of the litigation between McMoRan and Offshore Specialty Fabricators Inc (OSFI) as described below:
In July 2004, McMoRan settled the litigation with OSFI relating to the turnkey contract for reclamation of Main Pass
Block 299.  In accordance with the settlement, OSFI will complete the Main Pass
Block 299 Phase I reclamation work and McMoRan will pay OSFI the remaining $2.5 million balance for  Phase I reclamation.  In addition, OSFI will not have any obligations regarding the Phase II reclamation
of Main Pass.  Pursuant to the settlement, OSFI will also have an option to participate in the Main Pass Energy Hub
TM
project for up to 10 percent on a basis parallel to McMoRan's agreement with K1 USA Energy Production Corporation (K1 USA).  As previously reported, K1 USA has an option to participate as a passive equity investor in up to 15 percent of McMoRan's equity interest in the Main Pass Energy Hub
TM
project by funding its equity share (see Notes 3 and 4 of our 2003 Form 10-K).
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 22, 2004
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
99.1        Press release dated July 22, 2004 "McMoRan Exploration Co. Reports Second-Quarter and Six-Month 2004 Results & Updates Gulf of Mexico Drilling & Main Pass Energy Hub
TM
Activities."
99.2        Slides presented in conjunction with July 22, 2004 McMoRan Second-Quarter 2004 earnings conference call conducted via the internet.