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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H+CLZi7ExjhuEZdybfnLUwAI3SzNmTyJQ3UZOhoeJ99q6Fvyq7t91y+5tavVMgP+
 N/c1zyjusXUG0WkVCLgtWQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891456-08-000078.txt : 20080509
<SEC-HEADER>0000891456-08-000078.hdr.sgml : 20080509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080509151054
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891456-08-000078
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080509
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080509
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080509

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000891456
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				330430755
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 MILAM STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8322396000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 MILAM STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO L P
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020619

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STOCKER RESOURCES LP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19980130

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERRY ROBERT L III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216496

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31470
		FILM NUMBER:		08817997

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1201 MAIN STREET
		STREET 2:		STE 2100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7133474832

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4600 POST OAK PLACE
		STREET 2:		STE 309
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-09</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000891456</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PLAINS EXPLORATION &amp; PRODUCTION CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PXP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216496</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GERRY ROBERT L III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4600 POST OAK PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 309</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>73913</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents Restricted Stock granted as part of the annual non-employee director compensation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Deborah R. Anderson, attorney-in-fact for Robert L. Gerry, III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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