8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): March 1, 2004

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                                      Delaware                                         1-12074                              72-1235413
                        (State or Other Jurisdiction                  (Commission File                    (I.R.S. Employer
                     of Incorporation or Organization)                  Number)                          Identification No.)

                              625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road                                                                        70508
                                    Lafayette, Louisiana                                                                             (Zip Code)
                   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  (337) 237-0410

Item 5.   OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE

        The registrant issued a press release dated March 1, 2004, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(c)	Exhibits.
Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated March 1, 2004, "Stone Energy Corporation Announces the Retirement of D. Peter Canty and the Appointment of David H. Welch as President and CEO"

SIGNATURE

        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.

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION

Date: March 2, 2004	By:                           /s/ James H. Prince
	James H. Prince Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release dated March 1, 2004, "Stone Energy Corporation Announces the Retirement of D. Peter Canty and the Appointment of David H. Welch as President and CEO"

EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
Announces the Retirement of D. Peter Canty and the Appointment of David H. Welch as President and CEO 

NYSE — SGY
LAFAYETTE, LA. March 1, 2004

        Stone Energy Corporation announced today that the board of directors has elected David H. Welch as its new President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2004. The current President and CEO, D. Peter Canty, will retire on that day; however, will continue to serve as a director of Stone Energy.

    Mr. Welch, 55, joins Stone Energy after a distinguished career at Amoco beginning in 1978 and subsequently, at BP America, Inc. where he most recently served as Senior Vice President responsible for all external affairs in North America. Prior to that, he was President of BP Alaska Canada Gas, and was earlier President of BP's Deepwater GOM Development and Production business. Mr. Welch received a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSU, did graduate studies at Colorado School of Mines and received a doctorial degree from Tulane University in Economics and Chemical Engineering. He also studied business at Harvard Business School, completing their Advanced Management Program.

    Mr. Canty's association with Stone Energy began in 1981 when he joined a predecessor company. He was the primary designer of the acquisition and exploitation strategy that has been responsible for the successful development and growth of Stone Energy since its formation. Mr. Canty has planned his retirement to provide for a less rigorous schedule and more time to devote to his personal life and family.

        James H. Stone, Chairman of the Board, said, “We are fortunate to have attracted David Welch to Stone Energy. His extensive experience and demonstrated business success will be important in providing leadership for the future growth and profitability of our company. I am excited to work with Mr. Welch as we go forward together.” Mr. Stone also said, “We congratulate Pete Canty for his success in developing the current management team and providing the leadership to make Stone Energy the premier independent oil and gas company it is today and we wish him the best in his retirement. We are pleased that he will continue to serve as a director.”

        Stone Energy is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is engaged in the acquisition, exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas properties located in the Gulf Coast Basin and Rocky Mountains.

        For additional information, contact James H. Prince, chief financial officer at 337-237-0410-phone, 337-237-0426-fax or via e-mail at princejh@stoneenergy.com.