The Houston Exploration Company (Form: 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):   June 26, 2006

The Houston Exploration Company
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 001-11899 22-2674487
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction 		_____________
(Commission 		______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas   77002-5215
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) 		  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   713-830-6800

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

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))

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Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

Today The Houston Exploration Company (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized the exploration of a broad range of strategic alternatives to further enhance shareholder value and has determined that the unsolicited acquisition proposal made by JANA Partners LLC is not in the best interest of its shareholders. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein. The information in the press release shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, the press release shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Company's filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as set forth with respect thereto in any such filing.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press release dated June 26, 2006 announcing the Board of Directors' authorization of the exploration of alternatives to further enhance shareholder value and the Board's determination that JANA's unsolicited acquisition proposal is not in the best interest of shareholders.





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SIGNATURES

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.

         
    The Houston Exploration Company
          
June 26, 2006   By:   /s/ James F. Westmoreland
       
        Name: James F. Westmoreland
        Title: Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
99.1
  Press release dated June 26, 2006 announcing the Board of Directors' authorization of the exploration of alternatives to further enhance shareholder value and the Board's determination that JANA's unsolicited acquisition proposal is not in the best interest of shareholders.