8-K

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                       December 5, 2003 (December 1, 2003)

                     St. Mary Land & Exploration Company
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                    001-31539                 41-0518430
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission              (I.R.S Employer
      of incorporation)              File Number)            Identification No.)


             1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado 80203
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 861-8140


                                 Not applicable
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)






Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

St. Mary Land & Exploration Company issued a press release on December 1,
2003, announcing that it will proceed with the development of coalbed methane
reserves in the Hanging Woman Basin, located in the northern part of the Powder
River Basin along the Montana-Wyoming border. St. Mary has 126,000 net lease
acres in the Basin and plans to concentrate its initial development on its
57,000 net acres in Wyoming. In 2001, St. Mary initiated two pilot projects to
evaluate five coal seams on its Wyoming properties. St. Mary has estimated net
probable reserves of 150BCF from the five-targeted coals. Development is
expected to begin in 2004 with first sales anticipated in 2005. The press
release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

St. Mary Land & Exploration Company issued a press release on December 2,
2003 announcing the sale of certain oil and gas properties for approximately $22
million with an aggregate gain of approximately $7 million. St. Mary also
announced that Jerry R. Schuyler has joined St. Mary as a Senior Vice President
and Manager of the Company's Gulf Coast region. The press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c) Exhibits.

             The following exhibit is furnished as part of this report:

             Exhibit 99.1     Press release of St. Mary Land & Exploration
                              Company dated December 1, 2003

             Exhibit 99.2     Press release of St. Mary Land & Exploration
                              Company dated December 2, 2003





                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                         ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY


Date:  December 5, 2003                  By: /s/ DAVID W. HONEYFIELD
                                             -----------------------
                                             David W. Honeyfield
                                             Vice President - Finance,
                                             Treasurer and Secretary

EX-99.77Q1

                                                            EXHIBIT 99.1


                                                            For Information
                                                            ---------------
                                                            Mark A. Hellerstein
                                                            Robert T. Hanley
                                                            303-861-8140


                ST. MARY TO PROCEED WITH COALBED METHANE PROJECT

DENVER - December 1, 2003 -- St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (NYSE: SM)
today announced that it will proceed with the development of coalbed methane
reserves in the Hanging Woman Basin, located in the northern part of the Powder
River Basin along the Montana-Wyoming border. The Company has 126,000 net lease
acres in the Basin and plans to concentrate its initial development on its
57,000 net acres in Wyoming.

In 2001, St. Mary initiated two pilot projects to evaluate five coal seams on
its Wyoming properties. The Company has estimated net probable reserves of
150BCF from the five-targeted coals. Development is expected to begin in 2004
with first sales anticipated in 2005.

"We believe the Hanging Woman Project will add a long-life legacy asset to the
Company's portfolio. Our pilot projects and economic evaluation were focused on
selected coal seams in Wyoming, and we believe that the project has the
potential to add significantly more than the currently identified reserves. The
economics appear strong in our current price environment. Our wholly-owned
subsidiary, Nance Petroleum Corporation, will operate the program out of our
Billings, Montana office," commented Mark Hellerstein, Chairman, President and
CEO.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
securities laws, including plans for future periods. The words "will,"
"believe," "expects" and "plans" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown
risks, which may cause actual results to differ materially from results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include such
factors as the volatility and level of oil and natural gas prices, production
rates and reserve replacement, the resolution of certain environmental issues
raised by environmental public interest groups in connection with coalbed
methane development, the resolution of certain pending energy development
legislative matters, uncertainties in cash flow, the availability of attractive
exploration and development and property acquisition opportunities and any
necessary financing, competition, litigation, and other such matters discussed
in the "Risk Factors" section of St. Mary's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed with the SEC. Although St. Mary may from time to time voluntarily update
its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so
except as required by securities laws.

EX-99.77Q1

                                                            EXHIBIT 99.2


                                                            For Information
                                                            ---------------
                                                            Mark A. Hellerstein
                                                            Robert T. Hanley
                                                            303-861-8140

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

         ST. MARY ANNOUNCES PROPERTY SALES AND NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

DENVER, December 2, 2003 - St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (NYSE: SM)
today announced that on November 13, 2003, a St. Mary subsidiary closed the sale
of 100 percent of its interest in the Fort Chadbourne field located in Coke and
Runnels Counties, Texas, to an undisclosed party. St. Mary received cash
proceeds of approximately $17 million, for a gain of approximately $5 million.
The final total proceeds and gain amounts are subject to the resolution of final
post-closing adjustments and settlements. St. Mary does not expect this sale to
change previously reported production guidance for the fourth quarter of 2003.

St. Mary has also signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell its properties in
the Scott, Well Draw and Sage Spring Creek Fields in the Powder River Basin for
$5.3 million, subject to adjustments for the December 1, 2003 effective date of
the agreement, to an undisclosed party.
The sale will generate a gain of approximately $2.4 million and is expected to
close December 23, 2003, upon completion of customary due diligence.

St. Mary also announced that Jerry R. Schuyler has joined St. Mary as a Senior
Vice President and Manager of the Company's Gulf Coast region. Prior to joining
St. Mary, Mr. Schuyler was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dominion
Exploration & Production, Inc. - Eastern Onshore Division and previously was
President and Managing Director of ARCO Middle East and Central Asia. The
Company also announced that in early 2004, its Gulf Coast regional office will
be relocated from Lafayette, Louisiana to Houston, Texas.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
securities laws. The words "will," "believe," "anticipate," "intend,"
"estimate," and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks,
which may cause St. Mary's actual results to differ materially from results
expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. These risks include such
factors as the resolution of adjustments and settlements in connection with the
above-described sales, the ability of purchasers of properties to satisfy
contractual payment requirements, volatility and level of oil and natural gas
prices, production rates and reserve replacement, reserve estimates, drilling
and operating service availability and risks, uncertainties in cash flow, the
financial strength of hedge contract counterparties, the availability of
attractive exploration and development and property acquisition opportunities
and any necessary financing, expected acquisition benefits, competition,
litigation, environmental matters, the potential impact of government
regulations, and other matters discussed under the "Risk Factors" section of St.
Mary's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Although St. Mary may
from time to time voluntarily update its forward looking statements, it
disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.

                                                                        PR-03-19