The Houston Exploration Company Announces Second Quarter 2005 Earnings Date and Conference Call Information

HOUSTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Houston Exploration Company will release its second quarter 2005 earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, July 28, 2005.

In conjunction with the release, the company will hold a conference call to review the results of the quarter. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at 9:30 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, July 28, and can be accessed at http://www.houstonexploration.com/ .

To participate in the conference call by telephone, dial (800) 230-1074 prior to the start and provide the confirmation code 788604.

In addition, the call will be available for delayed playback for one week beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. on July 28. To access the playback, dial (800) 475-6701 and provide the confirmation code 788604.

The Houston Exploration Company is an independent natural gas and crude oil producer engaged in the development, exploitation, exploration and acquisition of natural gas and crude oil properties. The company's operations are focused in South Texas, the Arkoma Basin, the Rocky Mountains and offshore in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Additional production is located in East Texas.

Contact: The Houston Exploration Company Melissa Reynolds 713-830-6887 mreynolds@houstonexp.com