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<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">CURRENT REPORT</font></div>
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<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;September 24, 2009</font></div>
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<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Item 8.01&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Other Events</font></font></div>
<div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">McMoRan Exploration Co. issued a press release, dated September 24, 2009, updating its Gulf of Mexico exploration and production activities.</font></div>
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<div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press Release dated September 24, 2009, titled &#8220;McMoRan Exploration Co. Updates Gulf of Mexico Exploration and Production Activities.&#8221;</font></div></td></tr></table></div>
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mmr092409_8k.htm
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):  September 24, 2009
McMoRan Exploration Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
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 September 24, 2009, updating its Gulf of Mexico exploration and production activities.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
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/ Nancy D. Parmelee
Nancy D. Parmelee
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
(authorized signatory and Principal
Financial Officer)
Date:  September 25, 2009
McMoRan Exploration Co.
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
99.1
Press Release dated September 24, 2009, titled "McMoRan Exploration Co. Updates Gulf of Mexico Exploration and Production Activities."