<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>mcmoranexplorationex99.txt
<TEXT>
                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

This JOINT FILING  AGREEMENT is made and entered into by and among Iridian Asset
Management  LLC,  The  Governor  and  Company  of  the  Bank  of  Ireland,   IBI
Interfunding, BancIreland/First Financial, Inc., and BIAM (US) Inc.

The parties to this  Agreement  hereby agree to prepare  jointly and file timely
(or otherwise  deliver as appropriate)  all filings on Schedule 13D and Schedule
13G (the  "Filings")  required to be filed by them  pursunat to Section 13(d) or
13(g) under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  with respect to
their respective ownership of any securities of McMoran Exploration Co. that are
requireed to be reported on any Filings.  Each party to this  Agreement  further
agrees and covenants to the other parties that it will fully cooperate with such
other parties in the  preparation  and timely filing (and other delivery) of all
such Filings.

Date: February 4, 2008



                              IRIDIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC

                              By: /s/    Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                   ----------------------------------
                                       Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                       Executive Vice President


                              THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF IRELAND

                             By:   /s/   John Clifford
                                   ----------------------------------
                                        John Clifford
                                        Group Secretary


                              BIAM HOLDINGS

                             By:   /s/   John Clifford
                                   ----------------------------------
                                        John Clifford
                                        Director


                              BANCIRELAND (US) HOLDINGS, INC.

                              By:  /s/   Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                    ----------------------------------
                                        Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                        Agent

                              BIAM (US) INC.

                              By:  /s/   Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                    ----------------------------------
                                        Jeffrey M. Elliott
                                        Agent

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>