Mariner Energy Achieves First Production at Bass Lite Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Project

HOUSTON, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ME) announces that its Bass Lite deepwater Gulf of Mexico project commenced production on February 15, 2008. The two-well project, located in a water depth of approximately 6750 feet in Atwater Valley Block 426, is connected by a 56-mile subsea tie back to the Devil's Tower spar. The current gross production rate of approximately 60 million cubic feet of gas equivalent per day is presently limited by the production system designed to achieve early production while further system upgrades of the topside facilities continue. The project is expected to produce at full capacity later in 2008, once the topside facilities work has been completed. Mariner operates Bass Lite and has a 42.2% working interest in the project.

Scott D. Josey, the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented on the achievement: "The development of the Bass Lite project, which was dormant before Mariner assumed operatorship, illustrates the depth of our technical and operational expertise. We believe this project employs the second longest flowline for a subsea tieback and the longest umbilical utilizing fiber optics for primary control ever deployed in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, the steel catenary riser used to tie-in to the Devil's Tower production facility appears to be the first designed and approved in accordance with the new MMS storm criteria for the Gulf of Mexico. Our deepwater team has done an outstanding job in transforming this challenging project into one of Mariner's key assets."

About Mariner Energy, Inc.

Mariner Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with principal operations in the Gulf of Mexico and West Texas. For more information about Mariner, please visit its website at http://www.mariner-energy.com.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Mariner assumes, plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "may", "will", "estimate", "project", "predict",
"believe", "expect", "anticipate", "potential", "plan", "goal", or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.

The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are based on the current belief of Mariner based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Mariner cautions that its future natural gas and liquids production, revenues and expenses and other forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and production and sale of oil and gas.

These risks include, but are not limited to, price volatility or inflation, lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating future oil and gas production or reserves, and other risks as described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and other documents filed by Mariner with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Any of these factors could cause the actual results and plans of Mariner to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are urged to read the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and other documents filed by Mariner with the SEC that contain important information including detailed risk factors. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Mariner.

SOURCE: Mariner Energy