X0202 3 2004-11-22 0 0001015293 HOUSTON EXPLORATION CO THX 0001310091 Hresko Joanne C THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY 1100 LOUISIANA STREET, SUITE 2000 HOUSTON TX 77002-5215 0 1 0 0 VP & General Manager, Onshore emloyee stock options (right to buy) 18.625 2004-10-26 2009-10-26 common stock 760 D emloyee stock options (right to buy) 36.875 2005-01-25 2044-01-25 common stock 1951 D emloyee stock options (right to buy) 25.48 2005-09-20 2011-09-20 common stock 2400 D emloyee stock options (right to buy) 30.10 2004-10-16 2012-10-16 common stock 4800 D emloyee stock options (right to buy) 35.62 2004-10-21 2013-10-21 common stock 5000 D emloyee stock options (right to buy) 59.16 2005-10-22 2014-10-22 common stock 3750 D Employee stock options vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. /s/Joanne C Hresko 2004-12-01