Ownership Submission
FORM 4
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
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(Print or Type Responses)
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *
RATHERT TERRY W
  2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION CO /DE/ [NFX]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
_____ Director _____ 10% Owner
__X__ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below)
Sr. Vice Pres./Chief Fin.Off
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
363 N. SAM HOUSTON PKWY. E., #2020
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
12/20/2004
(Street)

HOUSTON, TX 77060
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line)
_X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
(City)
(State)
(Zip)
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5)
5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4)
6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
common stock               39,200 D  
common stock 12/20/2004   G V 1,000 D $ 0 26,725 I by trust

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
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Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security
(Instr. 3)
2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code
(Instr. 8)
5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4, and 5)
6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date
(Month/Day/Year)
7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities
(Instr. 3 and 4)
8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5)
9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 4)
10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 4)
11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Employee stock opt.- right to buy $ 15.94               (1) 09/01/2008 common stock 50,000   35,000 D  
Employee stock opt.- right to buy $ 29.81               (2) 02/10/2010 common stock 20,000   20,000 D  
Employee stock opt.- right to buy $ 38.03               (3) 02/09/2011 common stock 10,000   10,000 D  
Employee stock opt.- right to buy $ 33.73               (4) 02/07/2012 common stock 15,000   15,000 D  
Employee stock opt.- right to buy $ 35.68               (5) 11/26/2012 common stock 10,000   10,000 D  

Reporting Owners

Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships
 Director  10% Owner  Officer  Other
RATHERT TERRY W
363 N. SAM HOUSTON PKWY. E., #2020
HOUSTON, TX 77060
      Sr. Vice Pres./Chief Fin.Off  

Signatures

 ___________________________________ Terry W. Rathert   12/28/2004
**Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
(1) The options vested in five equal annual installments beginning 2/12/1999.
(2) The options vest(ed) in five equal annual installments beginning 02/10/2001.
(3) The options vest(ed) in five equal annual installments beginning 02/09/2002.
(4) The options vest(ed) in five equal annual installments beginning 02/07/2003.
(5) The options vest(ed) in five equal annual installments beginning 11/26/2003.

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