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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C>
DELAWARE 22-2674487
(State of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1331 LAMAR, SUITE 1065
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
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SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
TO BE SO REGISTERED EACH CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED
Common Stock, $0.01 par value New York Stock Exchange
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
(Title of Class)
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
A description of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of The Houston Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Registrant"),
to be registered hereunder is set forth under the caption "Description of
Capital Stock" in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (No. 333-4437), as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 3, 1996, which description is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 2. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits to this Registration Statement on Form
8-A, which constitute all constituent instruments defining the rights of the
holders of the Company's Common Stock, including any contracts or other
documents which limit or qualify the rights of such holders, are either filed
herewith or are incorporated by reference from the documents specified, which
have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1. Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No.
333-4437) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
July 3, 1996.
2. Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed as part of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-4437), as amended,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3,
1996).
3. Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 filed as part of the Registrant's Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (No. 333-4437), as amended, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 1996).
4. Specimen common stock certificate (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-4437), as amended, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 3, 1996).
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this
Registration Statement on Form 8-A to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
By: /s/ James G. Floyd
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James G. Floyd
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: July 3, 1996
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