8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934

December 27, 2004
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	1-12074	72-1235413
(State of Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road Lafayette, Louisiana	70508
(Address of Principal Executive Officer)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (337) 237-0410

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 7  —  Regulation FD
Item 7.01   Regulation FD Disclosure

        On December 27, 2004, we issued a press release announcing the signing of a purchase and sale agreement to acquire approximately 35,000 net exploration acres in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana from a small independent company effective January 1, 2005. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

        In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the foregoing information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information and Exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Section 9  —  Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)	Exhibits.
Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated December 27, 2004, "Stone Energy Corporation Announces Acreage Acquisition in Williston Basin"

SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Stone Energy Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION

Date: December 27, 2004	By:                           /s/ James H. Prince
	James H. Prince Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release dated December 27, 2004, "Stone Energy Corporation Announces Acreage Acquisition in Williston Basin"

EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
Announces Acreage Acquisition in Williston Basin

LAFAYETTE, LA. December 27, 2004

        Stone Energy Corporation (NYSE: SGY) announced that it has signed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire approximately 35,000 net exploration acres in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana from a small independent company effective January 1, 2005. The acquisition cost of approximately $85 million is expected to be funded with borrowings under Stone’s bank credit facility pending final closing, which is expected in February 2005.

        “This acquisition represents another significant step in efforts to diversify our asset base,” stated David H. Welch, president and chief executive officer. “Combined with our recent acreage acquisition in Utah, we have created several growth opportunities for exploration and development in the Rocky Mountain region.”

        The acquisition includes proved reserves and a minimal amount of oil production. Approximately 85% of the purchase price is expected to be allocated to unevaluated acreage. Much of this acreage is located within the Bakken formation fairway with attractive stacked-pay potential. Stone expects to begin exploring the acreage with a multi-well drilling program beginning in 2005.

        Stone Energy is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is engaged in the acquisition and subsequent exploration, development and operation of oil and gas properties located in the conventional GOM shelf, GOM deep shelf, GOM deep water 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.

        Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking, and are based upon Stone Energy’s current belief as to the outcome and timing of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Stone Energy plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates will, should or may occur in the future, including future production of oil and gas, future capital expenditures and drilling of wells and future financial or operating results, are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements herein include the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for oil and gas, operating risks and other risk factors as described in Stone Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Stone Energy’s actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.