McMoRan Exploration Co. (MMR) announced results from the exchange offer for up to $68.2 million aggregate principal amount of 5 1/4% convertible senior notes due 2012. A total of $67.8 million of the existing notes were accepted for exchange for an equal principal amount of newly issued 5 1/4% convertible senior notes due 2013.

The amount of existing notes exchanged represents over 99 percent of the aggregate principal amount outstanding upon commencement of the exchange offer. McMoRan intends to repay the remaining $0.3 million of the existing notes, which will mature on October 6, 2012. The terms of the new notes are substantially identical to the terms of the existing notes, except that the new notes have a maturity date of October 6, 2013. The CUSIP number for the new notes is 582411AM6.

The new notes have a conversion price of $16.575 per share and would be convertible into 4.1 million shares of McMoRan common stock. McMoRan has approximately 162 million shares of common stock outstanding. Assuming conversion of McMoRan’s remaining outstanding 8% convertible perpetual preferred stock, 4% convertible senior notes due 2017, 5.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock, Series 1 and Series 2, and the new notes, McMoRan would have approximately 224 million shares of common stock outstanding on a fully converted basis.