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MMR 8K 3-1-05
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align=center><FONT size=2>UNITED STATES</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>Washington, D.C.&nbsp; 20549</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>FORM 8-K</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>CURRENT REPORT</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities
Exchange Act of 1934</FONT></P>
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size=2></FONT></P>
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align=center><FONT size=2>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
&nbsp;March 1, 2005</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>McMoRan Exploration Co.</FONT></P>
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size=2></FONT></P>
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      align=center><FONT size=2>Delaware</FONT></P></TD>
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      align=center><FONT size=2>001-07791</FONT></P></TD>
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      align=center><FONT size=2>72-1424200</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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      align=center><FONT size=2>(State or other jurisdiction of
      incorporation)</FONT></P></TD>
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      align=center><FONT size=2>(Commission File Number)</FONT></P></TD>
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      align=center><FONT size=2></FONT></P></TD>
    <TD
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      align=center><FONT size=2>(IRS Employer Identification
    Number)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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      align=center><FONT size=2></FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>1615 Poydras Street</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>New Orleans, Louisiana&nbsp; 70112</FONT></P>
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size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>Registrant's telephone number, including area
code:&nbsp; (504) 582-4000</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">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:</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">[ ] Written communications
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">[ ] Soliciting material
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none">[ ] Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P></DIV><BR clear=all>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>Item 8.01.&nbsp; <U>Other Events.</U></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2>McMoRan
Exploration Co. issued a press release, dated March 1, 2005, announcing an
update of its Gulf of Mexico drilling and production activities and progress to
establish its Main Pass Energy Hub<SUP>TM</SUP> liquefied natural gas project
(see exhibit 99.1).</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2>Item
9.01.&nbsp; <U>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</U></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
size=2>(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2>The Exhibit included as part of this
Current Report is listed in the attached Exhibit Index.</FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P><BR clear=all>
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size=2></FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>SIGNATURE</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>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.</FONT></P>
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size=2></FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 3in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>McMoRan Exploration Co.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 3in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>By: \s\ C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 229.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>----------------------------------------</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 247.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 247.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>Vice President and Controller -</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 247.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>Financial Reporting</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 247.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>(authorized signatory and</FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 247.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2>Date:&nbsp; March 1, 2005</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P><BR clear=all>
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size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>McMoRan Exploration Co.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-pagination: none"
align=center><FONT size=2>Exhibit Index</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in"><FONT
size=2>Exhibit</FONT></P>
<DIV align=justify><U><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></U></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT
size=2><U>Number</U></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"></P>
<DIV>
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    vAlign=top width=38>
      <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><A
      href="ex99_1.htm">99.1</A></FONT></P></TD>
    <TD
    style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.7pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.7pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 0.2in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"
    vAlign=top width=19>
      <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2></FONT></P></TD>
    <TD
    style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.7pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.7pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 6.2in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"
    vAlign=top width=595>
      <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none"><FONT size=2>Press
      release dated March 1, 2005, titled &#8220;McMoRan Exploration Co. Updates Gulf
      of Mexico Drilling and Completion
Activities.&#8221;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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size=2></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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MMR 8K 3-1-05
UNITED 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):
 March 1, 2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Delaware
001-07791
72-1424200
(State or other jurisdiction of
      incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification
    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 March 1, 2005, announcing an
update of its Gulf of Mexico drilling and production activities and progress to
establish its Main Pass Energy Hub
TM
liquefied natural gas project
(see exhibit 99.1).
Item
9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c)        Exhibits.
The Exhibit included as part of this
Current Report is 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:  March 1, 2005
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
99.1
Press
      release dated March 1, 2005, titled "McMoRan Exploration Co. Updates Gulf
      of Mexico Drilling and Completion
Activities."