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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CVbIM4z0GVHBmY5DNf4GGaCtB0n8VkNz8fnSwUT0wscexHhFMDndU2Cf4gWaIlzo
 6qqsX3swoVG54bQMdtJxrQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-03-025101.txt : 20031001
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-03-025101.hdr.sgml : 20031001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031001172649
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-03-025101
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031001

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			K1 USA ENERGY PRODUCTION CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001251682
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07791
		FILM NUMBER:		03921604

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2601 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE
		CITY:			COCONUT GROVE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33133

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000064279
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				721424200
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 POYDRAS ST
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5045824000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 POYDRAS ST
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70112

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCMORAN OIL & GAS CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970707

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19790223

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HORN SILVER MINES CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720620
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd19225.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000064279</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MCMORAN EXPLORATION CO /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MMR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001251682</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>K1 USA ENERGY PRODUCTION CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2601 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1775</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COCONUT GROVE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock Warrants (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>5.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-12-16</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2007-12-16</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1742424</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock Warrants (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>5.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-09-30</value></exerciseDate><expirationDat
e><value>2008-09-30</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>757576</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jeffrey A. Safchik (Authorized Signatory)</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-30</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>



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