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 28, 2003

                    THE EXPLORATION COMPANY OF DELAWARE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     Delaware                       0-9120                      84-0793089
    (State of                    (Commission File           (IRS Employer
    incorporation)                     Number)              Identification No.)




   500 North Loop 1604 East, Suite 250
          San Antonio, Texas                                     78232
(Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


                                 (210) 496-5300
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)









Item 9:       Regulation FD Disclosure
          The following exhibit is filed herewith:

Exhibit
Number     Description

99       Press Release dated April 23, 2003 with respect to the Registrant's
         first quarter 2003 operations update.





                                    SIGNATURE

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


Dated: April 28, 2003

                    THE EXPLORATION COMPANY OF DELAWARE, INC.



                             /s/ Roberto R. Thomae
                             ---------------------
                             Roberto R. Thomae
                             Chief Financial Officer
                             Secretary/Treasurer
                            (Principal Accounting Officer)







                                      -2-




                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
                                   -------------

Exhibit
Number    Description
- -------   -----------
99       Press Release dated April 23, 2003 with respect to the Registrant's
         first quarter 2003 operations update.


                                      -3-