Mariner Energy High Bidder on 19 Blocks at Central OCS Lease Sale 206

Bids Totaling $79.1 Million for 16 Prospects

HOUSTON, March 31, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mariner Energy, Inc.
(NYSE: ME) announced today that it is the apparent high bidder on 19 of 30
blocks on which it bid at the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) Central
Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 206 held March 19, 2008. Mariner submitted joint
bids with one or more industry partners on most blocks and exposed a net total
of $109.9 million. Mariner's net exposure on the 19 apparent high bids was
$79.1 million.
Several of Mariner's identified prospects were among the most active in
the sale, with 26 of Mariner's 30 bids receiving one or more competing bids
and one receiving ten bids. Mariner's apparent high bid blocks involve 7
deepwater subsalt prospects (both Wilcox and Miocene), 4 conventional
deepwater prospects, 4 deep shelf prospects, and 1 conventional shelf
prospect. Mariner's working interest in the blocks once awarded will range
from 33% to 100%. Mariner expects the MMS to determine which blocks will
ultimately be awarded over the next several months.
Scott D. Josey, Mariner's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
commented on the successful lease sale results stating: "Assuming the blocks
are awarded by the MMS, Mariner will have significantly expanded its
exploratory drilling inventory in the Gulf, with a particular emphasis on
subsalt prospects that have the potential to add substantial value for our
stockholders. Combined with last October's Central Gulf sale, Mariner stands
to pick up interests in a total of 40 blocks representing 33 prospects, with a
net investment to Mariner of approximately $140 million. Additionally, 14 of
these prospects are subsalt opportunities, marking a new chapter for Mariner
as we expand on our conventional deepwater track record into this new
high-impact play."
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 West Texas, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, and on the
shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. For more information about Mariner, please visit
its website at http://www.mariner-energy.com.
For further information, contact:

John H. Karnes, Chief Financial Officer
ir@mariner-energy.com
(713) 954-3850

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, 2007, 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, 2007 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, Inc.

John H. Karnes, Chief Financial Officer of Mariner Energy, Inc.
+1-713-954-3850, ir@mariner-energy.com