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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5

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                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                            dated as of June 10, 2003

                                  by and among

                         THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                       and

                            WACHOVIA SECURITIES, LLC.

                              LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

                          BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.

                             FLEET SECURITIES, INC.

                                       and

                            SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC.

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         This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of June 10, 2003, by and among The Houston Exploration Company,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Wachovia Securities, LLC, Lehman
Brothers Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Fleet Securities, Inc. and Scotia
Capital (USA) Inc. (each an "Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Initial
Purchasers"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 7%Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the "Initial Notes") pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement (as defined below).

         This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated June
5, 2003, (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, and the Initial
Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial
Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in
this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 7 of the Purchase
Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated June 10, 2003, between the
Company and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee
(the "Trustee"), relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes (the
"Indenture").

         The parties hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions.

         As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:

         Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.

         Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

         Closing Date: The date hereof.

         Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

         Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for
purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the
maintenance of the continuous effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than
the period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the
Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Notes in the same
aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

         Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.

         Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.

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         Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         Exchange Notes: The Company's 7%Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 to
be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as
contemplated by Section 4 hereof.

         Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
amount of Exchange Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Initial Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such exchange
and issuance.

         Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

         Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers
propose to sell the Initial Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers,"
as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and pursuant to Regulation S
under the Act.

         Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.

         Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.

         Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.

         Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

         Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

         Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or
(b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case (i) that is filed pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included therein,
all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and
all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

         Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.

         Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

         Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.

         Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

         TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture.

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         Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Initial Note, until the earliest
to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Note is exchanged in the Exchange
Offer for a Exchange Note which is entitled to be resold to the public by the
Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Act, (b) the date on which such Initial Note has been disposed of in
accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the purchasers thereof have
been issued Exchange Notes therefor), or (c) the date on which such Initial Note
is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act and each
Exchange Note until the date on which such Exchange Note is disposed of by a
Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including the delivery of the Prospectus
contained therein).

Section 2. Holders.

         A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
(each, a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

Section 3. Registered Exchange Offer.

         (a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable
federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been
complied with), the Company shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the
Closing Date, but in no event later than 90 days after the Closing Date (such
90th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii) use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective
at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 180 days after the
Closing Date (such 180th day being the "Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in
connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it
to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and
(C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Exchange Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and
(iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the
appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Exchange Notes to be offered
in exchange for the Initial Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and
(ii) resales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange
Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a
result of market making activities or other trading activities (other than
Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.

         (b) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and
shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum
period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate
the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be
less than 20 Business Days. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply
with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than
the Exchange Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement. The Company

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shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be
Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
Business Days thereafter (such 30th day being the "Consummation Deadline").

         (c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the
date of this Agreement.

         Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Exchange
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement.
To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Exchange Notes by
Broker-Dealers and, the Company agrees to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously
effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period equal to the
lesser of (i) 180 days from the Consummation of the Exchange Offer or (ii) the
period ending on the date when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company shall
provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such
Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day after
such request, at any time during such period.

Section 4. Shelf Registration.

         (a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company is not required to file an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to Consummate the Exchange Offer
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law (after the Company
has complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or
Commission policy or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
notify the Company within 20 Business Days following the Consummation of the
Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy
from participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder may not resell the
Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without
delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not appropriate or

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available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer
and holds Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates, then the Company shall:

                  (x)      cause to be filed, on or prior to 75 days after the
         earlier of (i) the date on which the Company determines that the
         Exchange Offer Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of
         clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the
         notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above, (such earlier date, the
         "Filing Deadline"), a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415
         under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating
         to all Transfer Restricted Securities, and

                  (y)      shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
         cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior
         to 90 days after the Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration
         Statement (such 90th day the "Effectiveness Deadline").

         If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is
required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e.,
clause (a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above;
provided that, in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the
Effectiveness Deadline set forth in clause (y).

         To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement
is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), the Company shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement
required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and
current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c)
hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and
the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to
time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section
6(c)(i)) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate
when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration
Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.

         (b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such
information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

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Section 5. Liquidated Damages.

         If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not
filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii)
any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline
or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and
declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be
usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure
and that is itself declared effective immediately (each such event referred to
in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), then the Company agrees
to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby
liquidated damages in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each week or
portion thereof that the Registration Default continues for the first 90-day
period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The
amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week
per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to
each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured,
up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $0.20 per week per $1,000 in
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that the Company
shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one
Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i)
above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii)
above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above,
or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or an additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement)
to again be declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the
liquidated damages payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as
a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.

         All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated damages
are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the
Company to pay liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until
such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been
satisfied in full.

Section 6. Registration Procedures.

         (a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 6(c) below, (y) use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such
exchange and to permit the resale of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that
tendered in the Exchange Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired
for its own account as a result of its market making activities or other trading
activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any
of its Affiliates)

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being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution
thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:

                  (i)      If, following the date hereof there has been
         announced a change in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers
         such as the Exchange Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel
         to the Company raises a substantial question as to whether the Exchange
         Offer is permitted by applicable federal law, the Company hereby agrees
         to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the
         Commission allowing the Company to Consummate an Exchange Offer for
         such Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company hereby agrees to
         pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level.
         In connection with the foregoing, the Company hereby agrees to take all
         such other actions as may be requested by the Commission or otherwise
         required in connection with the issuance of such decision, including
         without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with the
         Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis prepared
         by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon
         which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be
         permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be
         favorable) by the Commission staff of such submission.

                  (ii)     As a condition to its participation in the Exchange
         Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including,
         without limitation, any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish,
         upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the
         Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company (which may be
         contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an
         Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend
         to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person
         to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in
         the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its
         ordinary course of business. Each Holder using the Exchange Offer to
         participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes hereby acknowledges
         and agrees that, if the resales are of Exchange Notes obtained by such
         Holder in exchange for Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company
         or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under Commission policy as
         in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the
         Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June
         5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13,
         1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling
         dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if
         applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i)
         above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus
         delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale
         transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be
         covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling
         security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable,
         of Regulation S-K.

                  (iii)    Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement, the Company shall provide a supplemental letter
         to the Commission (A) stating that the Company is registering the
         Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated
         in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan
         Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the
         Commission's letter to

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         Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any
         no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a
         representation that the Company has not entered into any arrangement or
         understanding with any Person to distribute the Exchange Notes to be
         received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company's
         information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer
         is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business and
         has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in
         the distribution of the Exchange Notes received in the Exchange Offer
         and (C) any other undertaking or representation required by the
         Commission as set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to
         clause (i) above, if applicable.

                  (iv)     If requested by any Initial Purchaser, the Company
         shall furnish to such Initial Purchaser, before filing with the
         Commission, copies of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any
         Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any
         such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Prospectus, which
         documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Initial
         Purchaser, and the Company will not file any such Exchange Offer
         Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to
         any such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Prospectus to which
         such Initial Purchaser shall reasonably object prior to the filing
         thereof with the Commission. A Holder shall be deemed to have
         reasonably objected to such filing if such Exchange Offer Registration
         Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as
         proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission or
         fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act.

                  (v)      If requested by any Initial Purchaser in connection
         with such exchange, the Company shall promptly include in any Exchange
         Offer Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or
         post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Initial
         Purchaser may reasonably request to have included therein, including,
         without limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution"
         of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all required filings of
         such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as
         practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be included
         in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

         (b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall:

                  (i)      use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect
         such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted
         Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods
         of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to
         the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the
         Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration
         Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under
         the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer
         Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods
         of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in
         accordance with the provisions hereof;

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                  (ii)     issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of
         Initial Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated
         by this Agreement, Exchange Notes having an aggregate principal amount
         equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes sold pursuant
         to the Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for
         cancellation; the Company shall register the Exchange Notes in the name
         of the purchaser(s) who purchased securities subject to the Shelf
         Registration Statement.

                  (iii)    furnish to each Holder in connection with such
         exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of
         any Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or
         any amendments or supplements to any such Shelf Registration Statement
         or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after
         the initial filing of such Shelf Registration Statement), which
         documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders in
         connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five
         Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Shelf
         Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to
         any such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such
         documents incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall
         reasonably object within five Business Days after the receipt thereof.
         A Holder shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if
         such Shelf Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement,
         as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material
         misstatement or omission or fails to comply with the applicable
         requirements of the Act;

                  (iv)     promptly prior to the filing of any document that is
         to be incorporated by reference into a Shelf Registration Statement or
         Prospectus, provide copies of such document to each Holder in
         connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's
         representatives available for discussion of such document and other
         customary due diligence matters, and include such information in such
         document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably
         request;

                  (v)      make available, at reasonable times, for inspection
         by each selling Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such
         Holders, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
         of the Company and cause the officers, directors and employees to
         supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder,
         attorney or accountant in connection with such Shelf Registration
         Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the
         filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness; provided, however, that
         such Persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any
         information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the
         Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such
         information shall be kept confidential by such Persons, unless (i)
         disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative
         order or is necessary to respond to inquires of regulatory authorities,
         (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any
         disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in
         connection with the filing of such Registration Statement or the use of
         any Prospectus), (iii) such information becomes generally available to
         the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to
         safeguard such information by such Person or (iv) such information
         becomes available to such Person from a source other than the Company
         and its subsidiary and such source

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         is not known, after due inquiry, by such Person to be bound by a
         confidentiality agreement; provided further, that the foregoing
         investigation shall be coordinated on behalf of such Persons by one
         representative designated by and on behalf of such Persons and any such
         confidential information shall be available from such representative to
         such Persons so long as any Person agrees to be bound by such
         confidentiality agreement;

                  (vi)     if requested by any Holders in connection with such
         exchange or sale, promptly include in any Shelf Registration Statement
         or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if
         necessary, such information as such selling Holders may reasonably
         request to have included therein, including, without limitation,
         information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer
         Restricted Securities; and make all required filings of such Prospectus
         supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the
         Company is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus
         supplement or post-effective amendment;

                  (vii)    deliver to each selling Holder without charge, as
         many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus)
         and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may
         request; the Company hereby consents to the use (in accordance with
         law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each
         selling Holder in connection with the offering and the sale of the
         Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
         amendment or supplement thereto;

                  (viii)   upon the request of any Holder, enter into such
         agreements (including underwriting agreements) and make such
         representations and warranties and take all such other actions in
         connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition
         of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any applicable Shelf
         Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be
         reasonably requested by any Holder in connection with any sale or
         resale pursuant to any applicable Shelf Registration Statement. In such
         connection, the Company shall:

                           (A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the
                  case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use its commercially
                  reasonable efforts to cause to be furnished) to each Holder,
                  upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:

                                    (1) a certificate, dated such date, signed
                           on behalf of the Company by (x) the President or any
                           Vice President and (y) a principal financial or
                           accounting officer of the Company, confirming, as of
                           the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs
                           (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 7(f) of the Purchase
                           Agreement and such other similar matters as such
                           Holders may reasonably request;

                                    (2) an opinion, dated the date of
                           Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of
                           effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as
                           the case may be, of counsel for the Company covering
                           matters and beliefs similar to those set forth in
                           Annex A to the Purchase Agreement and such other
                           matters as such Holder may reasonably request; and

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                                    (3) a customary comfort letter, dated the
                           date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as of
                           the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
                           Statement, as the case may be, from the Company's
                           independent accountants, in the customary form and
                           covering matters of the type customarily covered in
                           comfort letters to underwriters in connection with
                           underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set
                           forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to
                           Section 7(e) of the Purchase Agreement; and

                           (B) deliver such other documents and certificates as
                  may be reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence
                  compliance with clause (A) above and with any customary
                  conditions contained in any agreement entered into by the
                  Company pursuant to this clause (vii);

                  (ix)     prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
         Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in
         connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer
         Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
         jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all
         other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition
         in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
         the applicable Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that
         the Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign
         corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that
         would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation,
         other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Shelf
         Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
         subject.

         (c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company shall:

                  (i)      use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such
         Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite
         financial statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this
         Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would
         cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained
         therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not
         to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities
         during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file
         promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement curing
         such defect, and, if Commission review is required, use its
         commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared
         effective as soon as practicable.

                  (ii)     prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
         and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement
         as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for
         the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case
         may be; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
         Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
         Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and
         462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with
         the provisions of the Act with respect to the

                                       11

<PAGE>

         disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
         during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
         methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
         Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

                  (iii)    advise (x) each selling Holder promptly and, if
         requested by such Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the
         Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has
         been filed, and, with respect to any applicable Registration Statement
         or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become
         effective, and (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to
         the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the
         Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, and (y) each
         Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder, confirm such advice
         in writing, (A) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
         suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the
         Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the
         qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or
         sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any
         of the preceding purposes, and (B) of the existence of any fact or the
         happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made
         in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or
         supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein
         untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in
         the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not
         misleading, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes
         in the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light
         of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at
         any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities
         commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order
         suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
         Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws,
         the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the
         withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

                  (iv)     subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event
         contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(y)(B) above shall exist or have
         occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
         Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document
         incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document
         so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer
         Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

                  (v)      in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
         Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
         Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the
         timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer
         Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive
         legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such
         denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at
         least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted
         Securities;

                                       12

<PAGE>

                  (vi)     use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
         disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
         Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
         governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
         seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such
         Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in
         clause (xii) above;

                  (vii)    provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
         Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration
         Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the
         Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer
         Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The
         Depository Trust Company;

                  (viii)   otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to
         comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and
         make generally available to its security holders with regard to any
         applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a
         consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158
         (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning
         after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such term is
         defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act); and

                  (ix)     cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
         later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement
         required by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with
         the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as
         may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance
         with the terms of the TIA; and execute and use its commercially
         reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that
         may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and
         documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
         Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

         (d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(y) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(y)(B) hereof (in each case, a
"Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement
until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "Recommencement
Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will
either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more
recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's
possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that
was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period
regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section
3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the
number of days in the period from and

                                       13

<PAGE>

including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of delivery
of the Recommencement Date.

Section 7. Registration Expenses.

         (a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance
with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all
registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of
compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii)
all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Notes
to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and
delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Company and, subject to Section 7(b) below, for the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with
listing the Exchange Notes on a national securities exchange or automated
quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).

         The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.

         (b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will reimburse the
Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are
tendering Initial Notes into in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling
Initial Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration
Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more
than one counsel, who shall be Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., unless another firm shall
be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being
prepared.

Section 8. Indemnification.

         (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its
directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments
(including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that
could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments)
caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any holder
or any prospective purchaser of Exchange Notes or registered Initial Notes, or
caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading,

                                       14

<PAGE>

except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are
caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission that is based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished
in writing to the Company by any of the Holders.

         (b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and
not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors and
officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company to the same extent
as the foregoing indemnity from the Company set forth in section (a) above, but
only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished in writing
to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement.
In no event shall any Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total amount received by such Holder with respect to
its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted
Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise
been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission.

         (c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the
defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate
counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder).
Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the
employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by
the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume
the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying
party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the
Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by
the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The
indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by
reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected with its written consent or
(ii) effected without its written consent if the

                                       15

<PAGE>

settlement is entered into more than twenty business days after the indemnifying
party shall have received a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement
for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses
are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such
settlement, the indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with such
reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written
consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or
consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened
action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party
and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the
indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes
an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims
that are or could have been the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not
include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to
act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

         (d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section
8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted
by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,
and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the
other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount
paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a), any legal
or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.

         The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any
action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, or
its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder
shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total received by such Holder with

                                       16

<PAGE>

respect to the sale of its Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement exceeds the sum of (A) the amount paid by such Holder for
such Transfer Restricted Securities plus (B) the amount of any damages which
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute pursuant to
this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder, hereunder and not joint.

Section 9. Rule 144A and Rule 144.

         The Company agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, to any
Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with
any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted
Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information
required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to
Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby
in a timely manner in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to Rule 144.

Section 10. Miscellaneous.

         (a) Remedies. The Company acknowledges and agrees that any failure by
the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may
result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be
required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 3 and
4 hereof.

         (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not, on or after the
date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities
that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any
agreement in effect on the date hereof.

         (c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the
written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by
the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other
Holders whose securities are not being tendered

                                       17

<PAGE>

pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the
outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such
Exchange Offer.

         (d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

         (e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier, or air courier
guaranteeing overnight delivery:

                  (i)      if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the
         records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the
         Registrar under the Indenture; and

                  (ii)     if to the Company:

                           The Houston Exploration Company
                           1100 Louisiana, Suite 2000
                           Houston, Texas 77002

                           Telecopier No.: (713) 830-6885
                           Attention: President

                           With a copy to:

                           Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
                           600 Travis, Suite 4200
                           Houston, Texas 77002

                           Telecopier No.: (713) 220-4285
                           Attention: Gislar R. Donnenberg

         All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

         Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.

         (f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment,
subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, that nothing
herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition
of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the
Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall
acquire Transfer Restricted

                                       18

<PAGE>

Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such
Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform
all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on
resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement,
and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

         (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         (h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

         (i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

         (k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

                                       19

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

                                               THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANY

                                               By: /s/ W. G. Hargett
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                          William G. Hargett
                                                   President and Chief Executive

                                               WACHOVIA SECURITIES, LLC

                                               By: /s/ Jay M. Chernosky
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                           Jay M. Chernosky
                                                           Managing Director

                                               LEHMAN BROTHERS INC.

                                               By: /s/ Christopher Miller
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                         Christopher Miller
                                                       Senior Vice President

                                               BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.

                                               By: /s/ Douglas G. Cook
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                         Douglas G. Cook
                                                        Managing Director

                                               FLEET SECURITIES, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Christopher K. Wall
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                        Christopher K. Wall
                                                          Vice President

                                               SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC.

                                               By: /s/ Thomas C. Adams
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                         Thomas C. Adams
                                                       Director-Fixed Income