- Current report filing (8-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 17, 2012

McMoRan Exploration Co.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-07791		72-1424200
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

1615 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana	70112
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (504) 582-4000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

McMoRan Exploration Co. (McMoRan) issued a press release dated January 17, 2012, announcing its Fourth-Quarter/Twelve-Month 2011 results (see exhibit 99.1) and presented slides on its web site that accompanied its January 17, 2012 conference call (see exhibit 99.2).

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The Exhibits included as part of this Current Report are listed in the attached Exhibit Index.

SIGNATURE

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

	McMoRan Exploration Co.

	By: /s/ Nancy D. Parmelee
	Nancy D. Parmelee
	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
	and Secretary
	(authorized signatory and Principal
	Financial Officer)

Date: January 17, 2012

McMoRan Exploration Co.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit

Number

99.1		Press release dated January 17, 2012, titled “McMoRan Exploration Co. Reports Fourth-Quarter/Twelve-Month 2011 Results.”

99.2		Slides presented in conjunction with McMoRan’s Fourth-Quarter 2011 conference call conducted via the internet on January 17, 2012.