ME Mariner Energy Inc.

HOUSTON, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ME) announced today the completion of the primary production system for its Bass Lite deepwater field. The completed system allows production of up to 130 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d) from the two wells at Bass Lite, up from previous early production levels of 70-75 MMcf/d. Current daily production from the field is 118 MMcf/d. Bass Lite, located in Atwater Valley Block 426 in water depths of approximately 6,750 feet, commenced operation in February 2008 from an early production system that allowed a single well to produce while construction of the primary production system was completed. Natural gas is produced from Bass Lite via a 56-mile subsea tieback to the Devils Tower Spar located on Mississippi Canyon Block 773. Mariner is the operator at Bass Lite and holds a 42.2% working interest in the field. Other working interest owners in the field include EOG Resources, Inc., Energy Resource Technology GOM, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Helix Energy Solutions Group; Deep Gulf Energy LP, and Eni. About Mariner Energy, Inc. Mariner Energy is an independent oil and gas exploration, development, and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with principal operations in West Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. For more information about Mariner, visit the company's website at http://www.mariner-energy.com/. Important Information Concerning Forward-looking Statements This press 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 generally are 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. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on Mariner's current belief based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events and assumptions that Mariner believes are reasonable. Mariner does not undertake to update its guidance, estimates or other forward-looking statements as conditions change or additional information becomes available. Mariner cautions that its forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development, production and sale of oil and natural gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, price volatility or inflation, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating future oil and gas production or reserves, and other risks 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 Mariner's actual results and plans 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. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Mariner. DATASOURCE: Mariner Energy, Inc. CONTACT: Patrick Cassidy of Mariner Energy, Inc., +1-713-954-5558, mobile, +1-713-261-2627, Web site: http://www.mariner-energy.com/

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