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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 (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 22-2674487
(State of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1100 Louisiana, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities
and is effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), please check
the following box. [X]
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities
and is to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to General
Instruction A.(d), please check the following box. [ ]
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
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85/8%Senior Subordinated New York Stock Exchange
Notes due 2008
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.
The material set forth in the section captioned "Description of the
Notes" in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
333-50235), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 1998,
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 2. EXHIBITS.
1. Indenture, dated as of March 2, 1998 between The Houston Exploration
Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to the 85/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2008 (including form of 85/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2008) is incorporated herein by reference from
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
333-50235), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
15, 1998.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, on this 1st
day of December, 1998.
THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY
By: /s/ Thomas W. Powers
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Name: Thomas W. Powers
Title: Senior Vice President --
Business Development
and Finance and Treasurer
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