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Exhibit 10.1
 FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED  CREDIT AGREEMENT
 First Amendment Company Lender Lenders Administrative Agent Syndication Agents Documentation Agents
 R E C I T A L S
 Credit Agreement
   Defined Terms
 Amendments to Credit Agreement
 Definitions Agreement
 Agreement
 New Definition
 First Amendment
   1




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Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties
 Reaffirmation of Credit Agreement
 Governing Law; Entire Agreement
 Severability of Provisions
 Counterparts
 Headings
 Successors and Assigns
  2




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COMPANY:THE HOUSTON EXPLORATION COMPANYBy:
    
    /s/ Robert T. RayName:
    
    Robert T. RayTitle:
    
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerLENDERS AND AGENTS:WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Individually as
a Lender, the Issuing Bank and as Administrative
AgentBy:
    
    /s/ Jay BuckmanName:
    
    Jay BuckmanTitle:
    
    Vice President




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THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, Individually as a Lender and
as Co-Syndication AgentBy:
Name:
    
    /s/ N. Bell

Nadine BellTitle:
    
    Senior ManagerBANK OF AMERICA, Individually as a Lender and as
Co-Syndication AgentBy:
    
    /s/ Jeffrey H. RathkampName:
    
    Jeffrey H. RathkampTitle:
    
    PrincipalBNP PARIBAS, Individually as a Lender and as
Co-Documentation AgentBy:
    
    /s/ Douglas R. LiftmanName:
    
    Douglas R. LiftmanTitle:
    
    Managing DirectorBy:
    
    /s/ Polly ScottName:
    
    Polly ScottTitle:
    
    Vice PresidentCOMERICA BANK, Individually as a Lender and as
Co-Documentation AgentBy:
    
    /s/ Josh StrongName:
    
    Josh StrongTitle:
    
    Corporate Banking OfficerTHE BANK OF NEW YORKBy:
    
    /s/ Craig J. AndersonName:
    
    Craig J. AndersonTitle:
    
    Vice PresidentCOMPASS BANKBy:
    
    /s/ Patrick McWilliamsName:
    
    Patrick McWilliamsTitle:
    
    Vice PresidentTHE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLANDBy:
    
    /s/ Douglas A. WhiddonName:
    
    Douglas A. WhiddonTitle:
    
    Senior Vice PresidentUNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.By:
    
    /s/ Alison FuquaName:
    
    Alison FuquaTitle:
    
    Investment Bank Officer




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By:
Name:
    
    /s/ Kimberly Coil

Kimberly CoilTitle:
    
    Vice PresidentNATEXIS BANQUES POPULAIRESBy:
    
    /s/ Donovan C. BroussardName:
    
    Donovan C. BroussardTitle:
    
    Vice President & Group ManagerBy:
    
    /s/ Louis P. Laville, IIIName:
    
    Louis P. Laville, IIITitle:
    
    Vice President & Group ManagerAMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONBy:
    
    /s/ Mark A. SericeName:
    
    Mark A. SericeTitle:
    
    Vice President, Energy LendingWELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.By:
    
    /s/ Andrew J. WatsonName:
    
    Andrew J. WatsonTitle:
    
    Vice PresidentFORTIS CAPITAL CORP.By:
    
    /s/ David MontgomeryName:
    
    David MontgomeryTitle:
    
    Senior Vice PresidentBy:
    
    /s/ Darrell HolleyName:
Title:
    
    Darrell Holley
Managing DirectorSOCIETE GENERALEBy:
    
    /s/ Elena RobciucName:
Title:
    
    Elena Robciuc
Vice PresidentHARRIS NESBITT FINANCING, INC.By:
    
    /s/ James V. DucoteName:
    
    James V. DucoteTitle:
    
    Vice President




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BANK OF SCOTLANDBy:
    
    /s/ Karen WeichName:
    
    Karen WeichTitle:
    
    Assistant Vice PresidentKEY BANK, N.A.By:
    
    /s/ Thomas RajanName:
    
    Thomas RajanTitle:
    
    Senior Vice President




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Ratification and Affirmation of Guarantors
  GUARANTORS:THEC, LLCBy:
    
    The Houston Exploration Company, its sole memberBy:
    
    /s/ Robert T. RayName:
    
    Robert T. RayTitle:
    
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerTHEC, LPBy:
    
    The Houston Exploration Company, its General PartnerBy:
    
    /s/ Robert T. RayName:
    
    Robert T. RayTitle:
    
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer