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): August 6, 2003 THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 001-11899 22-2674487 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) of incorporation) 1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 2000 77002-5215 HOUSTON, TEXAS (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 830-6800 NOT APPLICABLE (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits 99.1 Press release issued by The Houston Exploration Company on August 6, 2003. ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. On August 6, 2003, we issued a press release with respect to our earnings for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2003. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference herein. The information furnished pursuant to this Item 12, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference. 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. THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY By: /s/ James F. Westmoreland ---------------------------------------- James F. Westmoreland Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary Dated: August 6, 2003 2 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- *99.1 Press release issued by The Houston Exploration Company on August 6, 2003. ---------- * Filed herewith.