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): September 15, 2003 THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 22-2674487 (State or other jurisdiction 001-11899 (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) (Commission File Number) Identification No.) 1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 2000 HOUSTON, TEXAS (Address of principal executive 77002-5215 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) ITEM 5 AND ITEM 9. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE. On September 15, 2003, The Houston Exploration Company issued a press release announcing it had signed a purchase and sale agreement with Transworld Exploration and Production, Inc. to acquire all of Transworld's asset base in the shallow-water Gulf of Mexico for a cash purchase price of $155 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close on October 15, 2003. Please see Exhibit 99.1 for a copy of the press release, which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS 99.1 Press release announcing the purchase and sale agreement with Transworld Exploration and Production, Inc. 2 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 and Chief Accounting Officer Dated: September 15, 2003 3