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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;2, 2006
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-_____
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>






<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Mariner Energy, Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>86-0460233</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>One BriarLake Plaza, Suite&nbsp;2000<BR>
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South<BR>
Houston, Texas 77042</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
<B>77042</B><BR>
(Zip Code)<BR>
<br></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Mariner
Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan</B><br>

(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Teresa Bushman<BR>
Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite&nbsp;2000<BR>
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South<BR>
Houston, Texas 77042</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(713)&nbsp;954-5505</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">6,500,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">21.70</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">141,050,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">15,092.35</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock that become issuable under
the plan by reason of any dividend, split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction
effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of
the registrant&#146;s shares of common stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;), solely for the purpose of computing the
registration fee.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>











<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">






<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001"> PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003"> Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004"> Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005"> Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006"> Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007"> Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010"> POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011"> EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv3w1.txt">Second Amended Certificate of Incorporation</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv3w2.txt">Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv4w1.txt">Stock Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv5w1.txt">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv23w1.txt">Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv23w2.txt">Consent of KPMG LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h33420exv23w3.txt">Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<!-- link1 " PART I " -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Note: The document(s) containing the plan information required by Item&nbsp;1 of Form S-8 and the
statement of availability of registrant information and any other information required by Item&nbsp;2 of
Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). In accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 and the requirements of Part
I of Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&#147;Commission&#148;) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 under the Securities Act. Mariner Energy, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;)
shall maintain a file of such documents in accordance with the provisions of Rule&nbsp;428. Upon
request, the Company shall furnish to the Commission or its staff a copy or copies of all the
documents included in such file.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company are hereby incorporated in
this Registration Statement by reference:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Company&#146;s Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424(b)(3) on February&nbsp;10, 2006; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Company&#146;s common stock contained in the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated February&nbsp;10, 2006 as thereafter amended from
time to time for the purpose of updating, changing or modifying such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), subsequent to the date
hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold, or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained herein or incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company&#146;s second amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, as amended, provides that a
director will not be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1)&nbsp;for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">acts or omissions not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of the law, (3)&nbsp;under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporate Law (&#147;DGCL&#148;) for
unlawful payment of dividends or improper redemption of stock or (4)&nbsp;for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, if the DGCL is amended to authorize
the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a
director of the corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided for in
the Company&#146;s charter, will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. The
Company&#146;s bylaws provide that the corporation will indemnify, and advance expenses to, any officer
or director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as
well as other employees and individuals against expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees, judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits and proceedings
whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than a derivative action by or in
the right of the corporation, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar
standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification extends only
to expenses, including attorneys&#146; fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
such action and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where
the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides
that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation&#146;s charter,
bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement, or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s charter also contains indemnification rights for its directors and its officers.
Specifically, the charter provides that the Company shall indemnify its officers and directors to
the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. Further, the Company may maintain insurance on behalf of
its officers and directors against expense, liability or loss asserted incurred by them in their
capacities as officers and directors.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has obtained directors&#146; and officers&#146; insurance to cover its directors, officers
and some of its employees for certain liabilities.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into written indemnification agreements with its directors and
executive officers. Under these agreement, if an officer or director makes a claim of
indemnification to the Company, either a majority of the independent directors or independent legal
counsel selected by the independent directors must review the relevant facts and make a
determination whether the officer or director has met the standards of conduct under Delaware law
that would permit (under Delaware law) and require (under the indemnification agreement) the
Company to indemnify the officer or director.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registration rights agreement and purchase/placement agent agreement the Company entered
into in connection with its earlier financings provide for the indemnification by the investors in
those financings of the Company&#146;s officers and directors for certain liabilities.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See &#147;Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings&#148; for a description of the Commission&#146;s position regarding
indemnification.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8</B>. <B>Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement or incorporated by
reference herein:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Document Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy, Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Mariner Energy, Inc. Amended and
Restated Stock Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Baker Botts (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume
of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of
Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><I>provided, however</I>, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;above do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein,</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant
to the provisions described under Item&nbsp;6 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March&nbsp;2, 2006.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">MARINER ENERGY, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/
Scott D. Josey</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Scott D. Josey&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<!-- link1 " POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Scott D. Josey and Rick G. Lester, and each of them, any of whom may act without the
joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement and any registration statement for the same offering filed pursuant
to Rule&nbsp;462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March&nbsp;2, 2006.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Scott D. Josey<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott D. Josey</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and<br>
President (Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Rick G. Lester<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Rick G. Lester</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<br>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Bernard Aronson<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bernard Aronson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Jonathan Ginns<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jonathan Ginns</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ John F. Greene<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John F. Greene</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ John L. Schwager<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John L. Schwager</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="50%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Rick G. Lester</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Rick G. Lester<br>
(Attorney-in-Fact)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy, Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Mariner Energy, Inc. Amended and
Restated Stock Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Baker Botts (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2006
Registration No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Mariner Energy, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
86-0460233
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
77042
(Zip Code)
Mariner
Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Teresa Bushman
Vice President and General Counsel
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 954-5505
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
registered (1)
share (2)
price (2)
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
6,500,000
$
21.70
$
141,050,000
$
15,092.35
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock that become issuable under
the plan by reason of any dividend, split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction
effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of
the registrant's shares of common stock.
(2)
Estimated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), solely for the purpose of computing the
registration fee.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX
Second Amended Certificate of Incorporation
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws
Stock Incentive Plan
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Consent of KPMG LLP
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Note: The document(s) containing the plan information required by Item 1 of Form S-8 and the
statement of availability of registrant information and any other information required by Item 2 of
Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In accordance with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part
I of Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. Mariner Energy, Inc. (the "Company")
shall maintain a file of such documents in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428. Upon
request, the Company shall furnish to the Commission or its staff a copy or copies of all the
documents included in such file.
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company are hereby incorporated in
this Registration Statement by reference:
(1)
The Company's Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) on February 10, 2006; and
(2)
The description of the Company's common stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated February 10, 2006 as thereafter amended from
time to time for the purpose of updating, changing or modifying such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), subsequent to the date
hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold, or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained herein or incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The
Company's second amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, as amended, provides that a
director will not be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for
Table of Contents
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involved intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of the law, (3) under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporate Law ("DGCL") for
unlawful payment of dividends or improper redemption of stock or (4) for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, if the DGCL is amended to authorize
the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a
director of the corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided for in
the Company's charter, will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. The
Company's bylaws provide that the corporation will indemnify, and advance expenses to, any officer
or director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as
well as other employees and individuals against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits and proceedings
whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than a derivative action by or in
the right of the corporation, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar
standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification extends only
to expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of
such action and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where
the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides
that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation's charter,
bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement, or otherwise.
The Company's charter also contains indemnification rights for its directors and its officers.
Specifically, the charter provides that the Company shall indemnify its officers and directors to
the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. Further, the Company may maintain insurance on behalf of
its officers and directors against expense, liability or loss asserted incurred by them in their
capacities as officers and directors.
The Company has obtained directors' and officers' insurance to cover its directors, officers
and some of its employees for certain liabilities.
The Company has entered into written indemnification agreements with its directors and
executive officers. Under these agreement, if an officer or director makes a claim of
indemnification to the Company, either a majority of the independent directors or independent legal
counsel selected by the independent directors must review the relevant facts and make a
determination whether the officer or director has met the standards of conduct under Delaware law
that would permit (under Delaware law) and require (under the indemnification agreement) the
Company to indemnify the officer or director.
The registration rights agreement and purchase/placement agent agreement the Company entered
into in connection with its earlier financings provide for the indemnification by the investors in
those financings of the Company's officers and directors for certain liabilities.
See "Item 9. Undertakings" for a description of the Commission's position regarding
indemnification.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Table of Contents
Item 8
.
Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement or incorporated by
reference herein:
Exhibit
Number
Document Description
3.1
Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
3.2
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy, Inc.
4.1
Mariner Energy, Inc. Amended and
Restated Stock Incentive Plan
5.1
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.3
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.4
Consent of Baker Botts (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)
Item 9. Undertakings
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume
of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however
, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein,
Table of Contents
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant
to the provisions described under Item 6 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 2, 2006.
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/
Scott D. Josey
Scott D. Josey
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Scott D. Josey and Rick G. Lester, and each of them, any of whom may act without the
joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments)
to this Registration Statement and any registration statement for the same offering filed pursuant
to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 2, 2006.
Signature
Title
/s/ Scott D. Josey
Scott D. Josey
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Rick G. Lester
Rick G. Lester
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Bernard Aronson
Bernard Aronson
Director
/s/ Jonathan Ginns
Jonathan Ginns
Director
/s/ John F. Greene
John F. Greene
Director
/s/ John L. Schwager
John L. Schwager
Director
*
By:
/s/ Rick G. Lester
Rick G. Lester
(Attorney-in-Fact)
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
3.2
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy, Inc.
4.1
Mariner Energy, Inc. Amended and
Restated Stock Incentive Plan
5.1
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.3
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.4
Consent of Baker Botts (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement)