Exhibit 99.1

                 CIMAREX ENERGY DECLARES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

    DENVER, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cimarex Energy Co. (NYSE: XEC)
announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a regular cash
dividend on its common stock of 4 cents-per-share.  The dividend is payable on
September 1, 2006 to stockholders of record on August 15, 2006.

    About Cimarex Energy

    Denver-based Cimarex Energy Co. is an independent oil and gas exploration
and production company with principal operations in the Mid-Continent, Gulf
Coast, Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico and Gulf of Mexico areas of
the U.S.

    This communication contains statements that constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995.  These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and
are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties are more fully
described in SEC reports filed by Cimarex.  While Cimarex makes these
forward-looking statements in good faith, management cannot guarantee that
anticipated future results will be achieved.  Cimarex assumes no obligation
and expressly disclaims any duty to update the information contained herein
except as required by law.

SOURCE  Cimarex Energy Co.
    -0-                             05/19/2006
    /CONTACT:  Mark Burford, Director of Capital Markets of Cimarex Energy
Co., +1-303-295-3995/
    /Web site:  http://www.cimarex.com/
    (XEC)