X0201 42003-12-1100001015293HOUSTON EXPLORATION CO THX0001234186SCHWARTZ THOMAS ETHE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY1100 LOUISIANS ST., SUITE 2000HOUSTONTX77002-52150100VP - Geophysicscommon stock ($0.01 par value)2003-12-112003-12-114S021500.000036.0000D0Dcommon stock ($0.01 par value)2003-12-122003-12-124S0600.000036.0000D0Demployee stock options (right to buy)22.93752003-12-112003-12-114X06000.000022.9375D1999-05-012008-05-02common stock6000.000056419.0000Demployee stock options (right to buy)18.56252003-12-112003-12-114X03700.000018.5625D1999-09-212008-09-21common stock3700.000056419.0000Demployee stock options (right to buy)18.62502003-12-112003-12-114X03200.000018.6250D2000-10-262009-10-26common stock3200.000056419.0000Demployee stock options (right to buy)25.48002003-12-112003-12-114X05200.000025.4800D2002-12-202011-12-20common stock5200.000056419.0000Demployee stock options (right to buy)30.10002003-12-112003-12-114X03400.000030.1000D2003-10-162012-10-16common stock3400.000056419.0000Demployee stock options (right to buy)30.10002003-12-122003-12-124X0600.000030.1000D2003-10-162012-10-16common stock600.000056419.0000DEmployee stock options vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date./s/ Thomas E. Schwartz2003-12-12