ME Mariner Energy Inc.

Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ME) announced today that it has scheduled a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 to discuss the company's 2010 capital budget, the recently announced agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Edge Petroleum and the deepwater discovery at the Lucius well in Keathley Canyon Block 875. Mariner expects to release an announcement of its 2010 capital program after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 2009.

To participate in the conference call, callers in the United States and Canada can dial (800) 638-5439. International callers can dial (617) 614-3945. The conference passcode for both numbers is 5406 0916. The call also will be webcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the Investor Information section of Mariner's website at www.mariner-energy.com.

A telephonic replay of the call will be available through December 26, 2009, by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888, passcode 8370 1354. An archive of the webcast will be available after the call through January 31, 2010 on Mariner's website.

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 Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. For more information about Mariner, please visit its website at www.mariner-energy.com.