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 15, 2003
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 22-2674487
(State or other jurisdiction 001-11899 (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) (Commission File Number) Identification No.)
1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 2000
HOUSTON, TEXAS
(Address of principal executive 77002-5215
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)
ITEM 5 AND ITEM 9. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On September 15, 2003, The Houston Exploration Company issued a press
release announcing it had signed a purchase and sale agreement with Transworld
Exploration and Production, Inc. to acquire all of Transworld's asset base in
the shallow-water Gulf of Mexico for a cash purchase price of $155 million,
subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close
on October 15, 2003. Please see Exhibit 99.1 for a copy of the press release,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
99.1 Press release announcing the purchase and sale agreement with
Transworld Exploration and Production, Inc.
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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.
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
By: /s/ James F. Westmoreland
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James F. Westmoreland
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Dated: September 15, 2003
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