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<font SIZE="2">
<p align="center">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2002. Registration No. 333-______</p>
<hr>
</font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">UNITED STATES<br>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<font SIZE="2"><br>
Washington, D.C. 20549</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">_______________</p>
</font><font SIZE="5">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">FORM S-8<br>
</font>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
under<br>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">_______________</p>
</font><font SIZE="4">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">McMoRan Exploration Co.</font></b><i><font SIZE="2"><br>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</p>
</font></i>
<div align="center">
  <center>
  <table border="0" width="756">
    <tr>
      <td align="center" width="371"><font SIZE="2"><b>Delaware</b><i><br>
        (State or other jurisdiction<br>
        of incorporation or organization)</i></font></td>
      <td align="center" width="371"><font SIZE="2"><b>72-1424200</b><i><br>
        (I.R.S. Employer<br>
        Identification No.)</i></font></td>
    </tr>
  </table>
  </center>
</div>
<font SIZE="2"><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">1615 Poydras Street<br>
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112</b><i><br>
(Address, including zip code, or registrant's<br>
principal executive offices)</p>
</i></font><b><font SIZE="4">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">McMoRan Exploration Co. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan</font></b><i><font SIZE="2"><br>
(Full title of the plan)</p>
</font></i><font SIZE="2"><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">_______________</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">John G. Amato<br>
General Counsel<br>
McMoRan Exploration Co.<br>
1615 Poydras Street<br>
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112<br>
(504) 582-4000</b><i><br>
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,<br>
including area code, of agent for service)</i></p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">Copy to:</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">Margaret F. Murphy<br>
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.<br>
201 St. Charles Avenue<br>
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</p>
</b></font>
<table BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="750" VALIGN="bottom" colspan="5">
      <hr>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Title of<br>
      securities to be registered</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Amount to be<br>
      registered <sup>(1)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed maximum<br>
      offering price<br>
      per unit</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed maximum<br>
      aggregate<br>
      offering price</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Amount of registration<br>
      Fee</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="750" VALIGN="TOP" colspan="5">
      <hr>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font SIZE="1">
        Common Stock (par value $.01<br>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; per share)
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font size="1">100,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="141" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.81<sup>(2)
      </sup>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom" align="center">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 381,000<sup>(2)
      </sup>
      </font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom" align="center">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp; 35.05<sup>(2)
      </sup>
      </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font size="1">Common Stock (par value $.01<br>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; per share)</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font size="1">25,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="141" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font size="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.88<sup>(3)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom" align="center">
      <p align="center">
      <font size="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 97,000</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom" align="center">
      <font size="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8.92</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font SIZE="1">
        Common Stock (par value $.01<br>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; per share)
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      550,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="141" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.17<sup>(3)
      </sup>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp;&nbsp; 3,393,500</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp; 312.20</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font SIZE="1">
        Common Stock (par value $.01<br>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; per share)
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="bottom"><font SIZE="1">
      <p align="center">575,000 Shares</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="141" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">$ 14.00<sup>(3)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp; 8,050,000
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="bottom">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">$&nbsp; 740.60</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr width="80%">
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="155" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr width="80%">
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr width="80%">
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr width="80%">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font SIZE="1">
        Total
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      1,250,000 Shares&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="155" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $&nbsp; ---.---&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $ 11,921,500</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="1">
      $1,096.77</font></p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="196" VALIGN="TOP">
        <font SIZE="1">
        <p>Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="135" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p align="center">1,250,000 Rights&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="155" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p align="center">$ ---.---<sup>(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      --</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="134" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">$&nbsp; ---.--<sup>(4)</sup></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="5" width="750">
      <hr>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
    <table border="0" width="100%">
      <tr>
        <td valign="top">
        <p><font SIZE="2">
        <sup>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</sup></font></p>
        </td>
        <td>
        <p><font SIZE="1">Upon a stock split, stock dividend or
        similar transaction in the future and during the effectiveness of this
        Registration Statement involving Common Stock of the Company, the number
        of shares and rights registered shall be automatically increased to
        cover the additional shares and rights in accordance with Rule 416(a)
        under the Securities Act of 1933.</font></p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top">
        <p><sup><font SIZE="2">
        (2)</font></sup><font SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
        </font></p>
        </td>
        <td>
        <p><font SIZE="1">Estimated solely for the purpose of
        calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
        Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price
        per share of the Common Stock of the Company on the New York Stock
        Exchange on April 30, 2002.
        </font></p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top">
        <p><sup><font SIZE="2">
        (3)</font></sup><font SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
        </font></p>
        </td>
        <td>
        <p><font SIZE="1">Computed in accordance with Rule
        457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the price at which
        currently outstanding options are exercisable.
        </font></p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td valign="top">
        <p><sup><font SIZE="2">
        (4)</font></sup><font SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      </font></td>
        <td>
        <p><font SIZE="1">Preferred Stock Purchase rights are
        attached to and trade with the Common Stock of the Company. The value
        attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of
        such Common Stock. Because no separate consideration is paid for such
        Rights, the registration fee for such securities is included in the fee
        for such Common Stock.
      </font></td>
      </tr>
    </table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">PART II</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<b>
<p>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The following documents, which have been filed by McMoRan Exploration Co.
(the &quot;Company&quot;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&quot;SEC&quot;), are incorporated herein by reference:</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed pursuant to
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &quot;Exchange
Act&quot;);</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual
Report referred to in (1) above; and</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The description of the Common Stock of the Company included in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company filed November 13, 1998, and
effective November 16, 1998, by incorporation by reference from pages 119-124 of
the registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company (Registration No.
333-61171), including any amendment thereto or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All documents filed by the Company with the Sec pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent otherwise
provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the SEC, de deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Description of Securities.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the &quot;DGCL&quot;)
provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees,
and agents and may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of
directors, officers, employees, and agents. In accordance with the DGCL, the
Certificate of Incorporation (the &quot;Charter&quot;) of the Company contains
provisions eliminating the personal liability of the directors to the Company
and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duties
as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. By virtue of these
provisions, under current Delaware law, a director of the Company will not be
personally liable for monetary damages for a breach of his or her fiduciary
duty except for liability for (a) a breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or that
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) dividends or
stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law, and (d)
any transaction from which he or she receives an improper personal benefit. In
addition, the By-Laws (the &quot;By-Laws&quot;) of the Company provide that, if
Delaware law is amended to authorize broader indemnification rights, the
directors shall receive the broader indemnification rights authorized by
Delaware law. These provisions pertain only to breaches of duty by directors as
directors and not in any other corporate capacity, such as officers, and limit
liability only for breaches of fiduciary duties under Delaware corporation law
and not for violations of other laws such as the federal securities laws. The
By-Laws require the Company to indemnify its officers and directors against
expenses and costs, judgments, settlements and fines incurred in the defense of
any claim, including any claim brought by or in the right of the Company, to
which they were made parties by reason of being or having been officers or
directors.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Company has purchase from Twin City Fire Insurance Company and Executive
Risk Indemnity Inc. a directors and officers liability policy with a four-year
aggregate limit of $25,000,000 to insure certain liabilities of its directors
and officers.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exemption from Registration Claimed.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.</p>
      </b>
    <table border="0" width="756">
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>5</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp;
      Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>23.1</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>23.2</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp;
      Den&#232;gre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>24</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Powers of Attorney pursuant to which this Registration Statement has
      been signed on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company.</p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
<b>
<p>Item 9. Undertakings.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</p>
    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
          a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
          any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
          previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
          change to such information in the registration statement.
    <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
          Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
          deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
          offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
          shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
    <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from the registration by means of a post-effective
          amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
          at the termination of the offering.
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, where applicable, each filing of any
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceedings) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.</p>
<b><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Registrant.</font></b><font SIZE="2"> Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New Orleans, State of
Louisiana, on May 1, 2002.</p>
<table border="0" width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td width="50%"></td>
    <td width="50%"><font SIZE="2"> McMoRan EXPLORATION CO.
</font>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="50%"></td>
    <td width="50%"><font SIZE="2"> By:&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      /S/ RICHARD C. ADKERSON&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
</font>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="50%"></td>
    <td width="50%"><font SIZE="2">
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Richard C. Adkerson<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Co-Chairman of the Board<br>
&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;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
President and<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chief Executive Officer</p>
</font>
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.</p>
</font>
<table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="638" height="1833">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17"><u><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Signature</font></u></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17"><u><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Title</font></u></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17"><u><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Date</font></u></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="19"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="19"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="19"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">*</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Co-Chairman of the Board</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21">
      <p align="center"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="21"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">James R. Moffett</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP" height="17">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="bottom"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="bottom">
      <u>
      </u>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"><font size="2">/S/ RICHARD C. ADKERSON</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" rowspan="3"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Co-Chairman of the Board,<br>
      President and Chief Executive Officer<br>
      (Principal Executive Officer)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Richard C. Adkerson</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">*</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <u>
      <hr>
      </u>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Morrison C. Bethea</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Robert A. Day</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <u>
      </u>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">*</td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Gerald J. Ford</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      H. Devon Graham, Jr.</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Glenn A. Kleinert</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Gabrielle K. McDonald</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      C. Howard Murrish</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      B.M. Rankin, Jr.</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      </font><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Director</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      J. Taylor Wharton</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" rowspan="3"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Senior Vice President, Chief<br>
      Financial Officer and Secretary<br>
      (Principal Financial Officer)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      Nancy D. Parmelee</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p align="center">*</p>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP" rowspan="3"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">Vice President and Controller -<br>
      Financial Reporting<br>
      (Principal Accounting Officer)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font size="2">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <hr>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">
      <p align="center"><font SIZE="2">
      C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><br>
      <br>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p>*By:&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; /S/ RICHARD C.
      ADKERSON<br>
      </u></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      <font SIZE="2">
      Richard C. Adkerson<br>
      </font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
      <font SIZE="2">
      Attorney-in-Fact</font></p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2">
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p>&nbsp;</p>
      <p align="center">May 1, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">EXHIBIT INDEX</p>
</b>
<b>
    <table border="0" width="756">
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p align="left">
<b>
Exhibit<u><br>
Number</u> </b>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p align="center">
<b>
 <u>Description of Exhibits
</u>
      </b>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <br>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>5</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp;
      Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>23.1</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>23.2</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp;
      Den&#232;gre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).<br>
      <br>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td width="44"></td>
        <td width="57" valign="top">
      <p>24</p>
        </td>
        <td width="719">
      <p>Powers of Attorney pursuant to which this Registration Statement has
      been signed on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company.</p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
      </b>

</body>

</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "forms8.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 36184}]
{"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": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-87380", "film-number": "02630393"}, "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": "HORN SILVER MINES CO", "date-changed": "19720620"}, {"former-conformed-name": "MCMORAN OIL & GAS CO", "date-changed": "19970707"}, {"former-conformed-name": "MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO", "date-changed": "19790223"}]}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2002. Registration No. 333-______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_______________
McMoRan Exploration Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
72-1424200
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
(Address, including zip code, or registrant's
principal executive offices)
McMoRan Exploration Co. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
_______________
John G. Amato
General Counsel
McMoRan Exploration Co.
1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
(504) 582-4000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Margaret F. Murphy
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P.
201 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
securities to be registered
Amount to be
registered
(1)
Proposed maximum
offering price
per unit
Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price
Amount of registration
Fee
Common Stock (par value $.01
per share)
100,000 Shares
$   3.81
(2)
$     381,000
(2)
$  35.05
(2)
Common Stock (par value $.01
per share)
25,000 Shares
$   3.88
(3)
$        97,000
$     8.92
Common Stock (par value $.01
per share)
550,000 Shares
$   6.17
(3)
$   3,393,500
$  312.20
Common Stock (par value $.01
per share)
575,000 Shares
$ 14.00
(3)
$   8,050,000
$  740.60
Total
1,250,000 Shares
$  ---.---
$ 11,921,500
$1,096.77
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
1,250,000 Rights
$ ---.---
(4)
$             
      --
$  ---.--
(4)
(1)
Upon a stock split, stock dividend or
        similar transaction in the future and during the effectiveness of this
        Registration Statement involving Common Stock of the Company, the number
        of shares and rights registered shall be automatically increased to
        cover the additional shares and rights in accordance with Rule 416(a)
        under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of
        calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
        Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price
        per share of the Common Stock of the Company on the New York Stock
        Exchange on April 30, 2002.
(3)
Computed in accordance with Rule
        457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the price at which
        currently outstanding options are exercisable.
(4)
Preferred Stock Purchase rights are
        attached to and trade with the Common Stock of the Company. The value
        attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of
        such Common Stock. Because no separate consideration is paid for such
        Rights, the registration fee for such securities is included in the fee
        for such Common Stock.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.     Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed by McMoRan Exploration Co.
(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), are incorporated herein by reference:
(1)    
The latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company filed pursuant to
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act");
(2)    
All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual
Report referred to in (1) above; and
(3)    
The description of the Common Stock of the Company included in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company filed November 13, 1998, and
effective November 16, 1998, by incorporation by reference from pages 119-124 of
the registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company (Registration No.
333-61171), including any amendment thereto or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
All documents filed by the Company with the Sec pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent otherwise
provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the SEC, de deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4.     Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.     Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")
provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors, officers, employees,
and agents and may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of
directors, officers, employees, and agents. In accordance with the DGCL, the
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Charter") of the Company contains
provisions eliminating the personal liability of the directors to the Company
and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duties
as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. By virtue of these
provisions, under current Delaware law, a director of the Company will not be
personally liable for monetary damages for a breach of his or her fiduciary
duty except for liability for (a) a breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or that
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) dividends or
stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law, and (d)
any transaction from which he or she receives an improper personal benefit. In
addition, the By-Laws (the "By-Laws") of the Company provide that, if
Delaware law is amended to authorize broader indemnification rights, the
directors shall receive the broader indemnification rights authorized by
Delaware law. These provisions pertain only to breaches of duty by directors as
directors and not in any other corporate capacity, such as officers, and limit
liability only for breaches of fiduciary duties under Delaware corporation law
and not for violations of other laws such as the federal securities laws. The
By-Laws require the Company to indemnify its officers and directors against
expenses and costs, judgments, settlements and fines incurred in the defense of
any claim, including any claim brought by or in the right of the Company, to
which they were made parties by reason of being or having been officers or
directors.
The Company has purchase from Twin City Fire Insurance Company and Executive
Risk Indemnity Inc. a directors and officers liability policy with a four-year
aggregate limit of $25,000,000 to insure certain liabilities of its directors
and officers.
Item 7.     Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.     Exhibits.
5
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère &
      Denègre, L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère &
      Denègre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney pursuant to which this Registration Statement has
      been signed on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)    
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
          a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
          any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
          previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
          change to such information in the registration statement.
(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
          Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
          deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
          offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
          shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)    To remove from the registration by means of a post-effective
          amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
          at the termination of the offering.
(b)    
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, where applicable, each filing of any
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)    
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceedings) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New Orleans, State of
Louisiana, on May 1, 2002.
McMoRan EXPLORATION CO.
By:
/S/ RICHARD C. ADKERSON
Richard C. Adkerson
Co-Chairman of the Board
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
*
Co-Chairman of the Board
May 1, 2002
James R. Moffett
/S/ RICHARD C. ADKERSON
Co-Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
May 1, 2002
Richard C. Adkerson
*
Director
May 1, 2002
Morrison C. Bethea
*
Director
May 1, 2002
Robert A. Day
*
Director
May 1, 2002
Gerald J. Ford
*
Director
May 1, 2002
H. Devon Graham, Jr.
*
Director
May 1, 2002
Glenn A. Kleinert
*
Director
May 1, 2002
Gabrielle K. McDonald
*
Director
May 1, 2002
C. Howard Murrish
*
Director
May 1, 2002
B.M. Rankin, Jr.
*
Director
May 1, 2002
J. Taylor Wharton
*
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer)
May 1, 2002
Nancy D. Parmelee
*
Vice President and Controller -
Financial Reporting
(Principal Accounting Officer)
May 1, 2002
C. Donald Whitmire, Jr.
*By:
/S/ RICHARD C.
      ADKERSON
Richard C. Adkerson
Attorney-in-Fact
May 1, 2002
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibits
5
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère &
      Denègre, L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère &
      Denègre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of Attorney pursuant to which this Registration Statement has
      been signed on behalf of certain officers and directors of the Company.