X0202 4 2006-08-17 0 0001015293 HOUSTON EXPLORATION CO THX 0001159159 JANA PARTNERS LLC 200 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 3300 NEW YORK, NY 10166 0 0 1 0 Common Stock 2006-08-17 4 P 0 53300 61.54 A 3786900 D Common Stock 2006-08-17 4 P 0 100 61.53 A 3787000 D Common Stock 2006-08-17 4 P 0 24500 61.46 A 3811500 D Common Stock 2006-08-18 4 P 0 271800 62.44 A 4083300 D Common Stock 2006-08-18 4 P 0 16400 62.71 A 4099700 D Common Stock 2006-08-21 4 P 0 28000 62.83 A 4127700 D Common Stock 2006-08-21 4 P 0 3200 62.90 A 4130900 D /s/ JANA Partners LLC by Charles Penner, General Counsel 2006-08-21