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    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>UNITED
      STATES</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Washington,
      D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>FORM
      8-K</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>CURRENT
      REPORT</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Pursuant
      to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of
      1934</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Date
      of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;November 1,
      2007</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><img src="mmr_logo.jpg" alt="">&#160;</div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>McMoRan
      Exploration Co.</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Exact
      name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></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-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>Delaware</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>001-07791</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>72-1424200</strong></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(State
                or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(Commission
                File Number)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="4%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="18%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(IRS
                Employer Identification Number)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

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    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

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            <td valign="top" width="36%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>1615
                Poydras Street</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="36%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="36%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>New
                Orleans, Louisiana</strong></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="36%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;"><strong>70112</strong></font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td valign="top" width="36%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(Address
                of principal executive offices)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="36%">
              <div align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">(Zip
                Code)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Registrant's
      telephone number, including area code:&#160;&#160;(504) 582-4000</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">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></div>
    <div><br></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;">[
      ]
      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">[
      ]
      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">[
      ]
      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
      Act
      (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">[
      ]
      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
      Act
      (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
    <div><br></div><br>
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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
      1.01. <u>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</u><u>.</u></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><a name="tab1"><br></a></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;">On
      November 1, 2007, McMoRan Exploration Co., a Delaware corporation, entered
      into
      an Underwriting Agreement (the &#8220;Common Stock Underwriting Agreement&#8221;) with
      Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &amp; Smith Incorporated (&#8220;Merrill Lynch&#8221;) and
      J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (&#8220;JPMorgan Securities&#8221;), as representatives of the
      several underwriters named in Schedule 1 thereto (the &#8220;Underwriters&#8221;), pursuant
      to which McMoRan agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriters an aggregate
      of
      16,887,500 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, including 637,500
      shares subject to the Underwriters&#8217; overallotment option (the &#8220;Common
      Stock&#8221;).&#160;Also on November 1, 2007, McMoRan entered into an Underwriting
      Agreement (the &#8220;Convertible Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement&#8221;) with
      Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan Securities , as representatives of the Underwriters,
      pursuant to which McMoRan agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriters an
      aggregate of 2,587,500 shares of 6.75% mandatory convertible preferred stock,
      including 337,500 shares subject to the Underwriters&#8217; overallotment option(the
&#8220;Convertible Preferred Stock&#8221; and, together with the Common Stock, the
&#8220;Securities&#8221;). The Securities were offered pursuant to McMoRan&#8217;s Registration
      Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-144496, filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission on July 11, 2007, as amended October 3, 2007.</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">The
      Underwriters and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed various
      financial advisory, investment banking and commercial banking services for
      McMoRan and its affiliates, for which they received customary compensation,
      fees
      and expense reimbursement. McMoRan currently has a $700 million senior secured
      revolving credit facility, effective August&#160;6, 2007, under which JPMorgan
      Chase Bank N.A., serves as administrative agent, Merrill Lynch Capital, a
      division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. is the syndication
      agent, and JPMorgan Securities and Merrill Lynch Capital served as joint
      bookrunners and joint lead arrangers. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as
      McMoRan&#8217;s administrative agent under its bridge loan facility effective August
      6, 2007, while Merrill Lynch is the syndication agent and JPMorgan Securities
      and Merrill Lynch served as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers. Merrill
      Lynch&#160;and JPMorgan Securities also acted as financial advisors to McMoRan
      in connection with the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties
      from Newfield Exploration Company, for which they received customary
      fees.</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">The
      closing of the sale of the Securities occurred on November 7, 2007. The net
      proceeds from the sale of the Securities, after deducting the Underwriters'
      discount and the estimated offering expenses, totaled approximately $450
      million. Copies of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement and the Convertible
      Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement are filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2,
      respectively, to this Report.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</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;">The
      Convertible Preferred Stock is governed by a Certificate of Designations dated
      November 7, 2007 and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware. A copy
      of
      the form of Certificate of Designations, including the form of security, is
      filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Report.<a name="id_0_5"/></font></div>
    <div><br></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;">Item
      8.01&#160;&#160;<u>Other Events.</u></font></div>
    <div><br></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
      issued a press release dated November 7, 2007, announcing that it has completed
      $468 million in equity financings, through the sale of 16.9 million shares
      of
      common stock at $12.40 per share and 2.59 million shares of 6.75% mandatory
      convertible preferred&#160;stock&#160;at $100 per share. The amounts sold
      include 637,500 shares of common stock and 337,500 shares of 6.75% mandatory
      convertible preferred stock issued pursuant to the underwriters&#8217; exercise of
      overallotment options (see Exhibit 99.1).</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></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;">Item
      9.01. <u>Fi</u><u>nancial Statements and Exhibits.</u></font></div>
    <div><br></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;">(d)
      Exhibits.</font></div>
    <div><br></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;">The
      Exhibits included as part of this Current Report are listed in the attached
      Exhibit Index.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
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    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">SIGNATURE</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">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></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">McMoRan
      Exploration Co.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">By:
      /s/
      Nancy D. Parmelee</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 225pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">----------------------------------------</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Nancy
      D.
      Parmelee</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Senior
      Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &amp;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Secretary</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(authorized
      signatory and</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 234pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Principal
      Financial Officer)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Date:&#160;&#160;November
      7, 2007</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
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    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">McMoRan
      Exploration Co.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Exhibit
      Index</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="7%">
              <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;"><strong>Exhibit</strong></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;"><strong>&#160;No.</strong></font></div>
            </td>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="bottom" width="92%">
              <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;"><strong>Description</strong></font></div>
            </td>
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            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <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;"><a href="exhibit1_1.htm">1.1</a></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <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;">Underwriting
                Agreement dated November 1, 2007 between McMoRan Exploration Co.
                and
                Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &amp; Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan
                Securities Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named
                in
                Schedule 1 thereto.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
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              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <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;"><a href="exhibit1_2.htm">1.2</a></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <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;">Underwriting
                Agreement dated November 1, 2007 between McMoRan Exploration Co.
                and
                Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &amp; Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan
                Securities Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named
                in
                Schedule 1 thereto.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <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;"><a href="exhibit4_1.htm">4.1</a></font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <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;">Certificate
                of Designations of 6.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of
                McMoRan
                Exploration Co.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="1%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
          </tr>
          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="7%">
              <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;"><a href="exhibit99_1.htm">99.1</a></font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="92%">
              <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;">Press
                release dated November 7, 2007, titled &#8220;McMoRan Exploration Co. Completes
                $468 Million Equity Financings, Including Exercise of Overallotment
                Options.&#8221;</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

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mmr110707_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):  November 1,
      2007
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
      1.01.
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
.
On
      November 1, 2007, McMoRan Exploration Co., a Delaware corporation, entered
      into
      an Underwriting Agreement (the "Common Stock Underwriting Agreement") with
      Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") and
      J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ("JPMorgan Securities"), as representatives of the
      several underwriters named in Schedule 1 thereto (the "Underwriters"), pursuant
      to which McMoRan agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriters an aggregate
      of
      16,887,500 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, including 637,500
      shares subject to the Underwriters' overallotment option (the "Common
      Stock"). Also on November 1, 2007, McMoRan entered into an Underwriting
      Agreement (the "Convertible Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement") with
      Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan Securities , as representatives of the Underwriters,
      pursuant to which McMoRan agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriters an
      aggregate of 2,587,500 shares of 6.75% mandatory convertible preferred stock,
      including 337,500 shares subject to the Underwriters' overallotment option(the
"Convertible Preferred Stock" and, together with the Common Stock, the
"Securities"). The Securities were offered pursuant to McMoRan's Registration
      Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-144496, filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission on July 11, 2007, as amended October 3, 2007.
The
      Underwriters and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed various
      financial advisory, investment banking and commercial banking services for
      McMoRan and its affiliates, for which they received customary compensation,
      fees
      and expense reimbursement. McMoRan currently has a $700 million senior secured
      revolving credit facility, effective August 6, 2007, under which JPMorgan
      Chase Bank N.A., serves as administrative agent, Merrill Lynch Capital, a
      division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. is the syndication
      agent, and JPMorgan Securities and Merrill Lynch Capital served as joint
      bookrunners and joint lead arrangers. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as
      McMoRan's administrative agent under its bridge loan facility effective August
      6, 2007, while Merrill Lynch is the syndication agent and JPMorgan Securities
      and Merrill Lynch served as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers. Merrill
      Lynch and JPMorgan Securities also acted as financial advisors to McMoRan
      in connection with the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties
      from Newfield Exploration Company, for which they received customary
      fees.
The
      closing of the sale of the Securities occurred on November 7, 2007. The net
      proceeds from the sale of the Securities, after deducting the Underwriters'
      discount and the estimated offering expenses, totaled approximately $450
      million. Copies of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement and the Convertible
      Preferred Stock Underwriting Agreement are filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2,
      respectively, to this Report.
The
      Convertible Preferred Stock is governed by a Certificate of Designations dated
      November 7, 2007 and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware. A copy
      of
      the form of Certificate of Designations, including the form of security, is
      filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Report.
Item
      8.01
Other Events.
McMoRan
      issued a press release dated November 7, 2007, announcing that it has completed
      $468 million in equity financings, through the sale of 16.9 million shares
      of
      common stock at $12.40 per share and 2.59 million shares of 6.75% mandatory
      convertible preferred stock at $100 per share. The amounts sold
      include 637,500 shares of common stock and 337,500 shares of 6.75% mandatory
      convertible preferred stock issued pursuant to the underwriters' exercise of
      overallotment options (see Exhibit 99.1).
Item
      9.01.
Fi
nancial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
      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/
      Nancy D. Parmelee
----------------------------------------
Nancy
      D.
      Parmelee
Senior
      Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Secretary
(authorized
      signatory and
Principal
      Financial Officer)
Date:  November
      7, 2007
McMoRan
      Exploration Co.
Exhibit
      Index
Exhibit
No.
Description
1.1
Underwriting
                Agreement dated November 1, 2007 between McMoRan Exploration Co.
                and
                Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan
                Securities Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named
                in
                Schedule 1 thereto.
1.2
Underwriting
                Agreement dated November 1, 2007 between McMoRan Exploration Co.
                and
                Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and J.P. Morgan
                Securities Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named
                in
                Schedule 1 thereto.
4.1
Certificate
                of Designations of 6.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of
                McMoRan
                Exploration Co.
99.1
Press
                release dated November 7, 2007, titled "McMoRan Exploration Co. Completes
                $468 Million Equity Financings, Including Exercise of Overallotment
                Options."