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                       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): APRIL 23, 2003



                          NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



          DELAWARE                      1-12534                  72-1133047
(State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)      (I.R.S. Employer
       of Incorporation)                                     Identification No.)



                    363 N. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY E., SUITE 2020
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77060
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)



                                 (281) 847-6000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)




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

           c. Exhibits.

                  99.1   Press release issued by Newfield Exploration Company on
                         April 23, 2003.


ITEM 9.  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

         In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8216, the following information,
intended to be furnished under "Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial
Condition," is instead furnished under "Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure."

         On April 23, 2003, Newfield issued a press release announcing its first
quarter 2003 financial results and second quarter 2003 earnings guidance. A copy
of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference.


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                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                 NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY


Date:  April 24, 2003            By:  /s/ TERRY W. RATHERT
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Terry W. Rathert
                                      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                      (Authorized Officer and Principal
                                      Financial Officer)


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




Exhibit No.           Description
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99.1                  Press release issued by Newfield Exploration Company on
                      April 23, 2003.*



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* Furnished pursuant to Item 12 of this report.