The Houston Exploration Company (Form: 8-K)  

 

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):   January 20, 2005

The Houston Exploration Company
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 001-11899 22-2674487
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction 		_____________
(Commission 		______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas   77002-5215
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) 		  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   713-830-6800

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

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))

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Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 20, 2005, The Houston Exploration Company ("Houston Exploration") issued a press release to offer a preview of its financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2004 and to announce the date of its earnings release for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this report, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.





Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

Houston Exploration incorporates by reference into this Item 7.01 the information in its press release, dated January 20, 2005, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

The information in this report, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.





Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press release issued by Houston Exploration on January 20, 2005 offering a preview of 2004 financial results and announcing earnings release date for fourth quarter and full-year 2004 results.





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SIGNATURES

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.

         
    The Houston Exploration Company
          
January 20, 2005   By:   /s/ James F. Westmoreland
       
        Name: James F. Westmoreland
        Title: Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
99.1
  Press release issued by Houston Exploration dated January 20, 2005.