EXHIBIT 99.1
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
STONE ENERGY APPOINTS ERNST & YOUNG AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR 2002

NYSE--SGY
LAFAYETTE, LA., June 26, 2002

     Stone Energy  Corporation  today  announced  that it has appointed  Ernst &
Young LLP as its  independent  public  accountants  for 2002,  replacing  Arthur
Andersen LLP.

     Stone  Energy  is an  independent  oil and  gas  company  headquartered  in
Lafayette,   Louisiana,  and  is  engaged  in  the  acquisition  and  subsequent
exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas properties located in the
Gulf Coast Basin and Rocky Mountains.

     For  additional  information,  contact  James H.  Prince,  chief  financial
officer  at  337-237-0410  -  phone,   337-237-0426  -  fax  or  via  e-mail  at
princejh@stoneenergy.com.