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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-021918.txt : 20040803
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-021918.hdr.sgml : 20040803
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040803101811
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-021918
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040730
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040803

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WILLIAMS CLAYTON W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000908287

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10924
		FILM NUMBER:		04946885

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SIX DESTA DRIVE SUITE 3000
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79705

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 DESTA DR
		STREET 2:		STE 3000
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79705

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY INC /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000880115
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				752396863
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SIX DESTA DR
		STREET 2:		STE 6500
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79705
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9156826324

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SIX DESTA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE 6500
		CITY:			MIDLAND
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			79705
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000880115</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CLAYTON WILLIAMS ENERGY INC /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CWEI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000908287</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WILLIAMS CLAYTON W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6 DESTA DRIVE, SUITE 6500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIDLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>79705</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chair of the Board, Pres.&amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1687</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>23.09</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1510775</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4003704</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were issued pursuant to the Executive Incentive Stock Compensation Plan in lieu of salary.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Amount presented includes the right to acquire 1,050,500 shares through the exercise of stock options.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Indirect ownership held as follows: by Clayton Williams Partnership, Ltd. - 3,686,325; by CWPLCO, Inc. - 194,784; by wife, Modesta Williams (separate property) - 11,044; by a trust of which Mrs. Williams is trustee - 588; by son, Clay Wade Williams - 10,105; by son, Jeff Williams - 12,165; by daughter, Chicora Modesta Williams - 11,336; as Trustee of Trusts for Clay Wade Williams, Jeff Williams and Chicora Modesta Williams - 49,179; by a trust in which Mr. Williams is beneficiary and Mrs. Williams is trustee - 5,749; by wife, Modesta Williams as custodian for grandchildren under UGTMA - 5,988.  This amount also includes 16,439 shares held in the Company's 401(k) Plan and Trust of which 86 shares were acquired during July 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Clayton W. Williams, by L. Paul Latham as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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