ME Mariner Energy Inc.

Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ME) announced today the election of Laura A. Sugg to its Board of Directors. She will serve on the Board's Compensation Committee.

Ms. Sugg is a retired energy executive with experience in oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas and coalbed methane. She served with ConocoPhillips companies for more than 20 years, most recently as President Australasia Division, where she was responsible for the onshore and offshore exploration and production businesses in Australia and East Timor. She also served as General Manager, E&P Human Resources, managing human resources for 10,000 employees in 16 countries. Prior to that, she served as General Manager Midstream, responsible for ConocoPhillips' natural gas gathering, processing and fractionation business in the United States, Canada and Trinidad. Ms. Sugg began her career with Sohio Petroleum in 1983, joining Phillips Petroleum in 1986, and serving in various engineering, planning, finance and business development capacities culminating in Vice President Worldwide Gas until Phillips merged with Conoco in 2002. She is a director of Huber Energy LLC, a privately-held oil and gas company, and holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University.

"Laura brings diverse and extensive experience across the energy industry, in domestic as well as international markets, to Mariner's Board of Directors. We welcome her and look forward to her contributions," said Scott D. Josey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Mariner Energy.

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 the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico deepwater and shelf. For more information about Mariner, visit the company's website at www.mariner-energy.com.