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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 June&nbsp;2, 2009
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>
</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" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></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%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<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</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Houston, Texas 77042</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>77042</B><BR>
(zip code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>MARINER ENERGY, INC. THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Teresa Bushman<BR>
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
Mariner Energy, Inc.<BR>
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite&nbsp;2000<BR>
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South<BR>
Houston, Texas 77042<BR>
(713)&nbsp;954-5505</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</DIV>


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


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Kelly B. Rose<BR>
Baker Botts L.L.P.<BR>
910 Louisiana<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002<BR>
(713)&nbsp;229-1796</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act
(Check one):</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="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</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%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&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="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="21" 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>&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="2"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&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="2"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD>&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="2"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>registration</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</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="2"><B>registered (2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>share (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>price (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>fee (3)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <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 $.0001 per share (2)(3)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">6,000,000&nbsp;shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">13.35</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="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">80,100,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,470</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="21" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</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="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
and (h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the average of the high and low
prices of the common stock of Mariner Energy, Inc. reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Tape on May&nbsp;28, 2009.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement shall also include such additional indeterminate number of shares of common stock as
may become issuable under the Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Includes associated preferred stock purchase rights. No separate consideration is payable
for the preferred stock purchase rights. Therefore, the registration fee for such securities
is included in the registration fee for the common stock.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</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>







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

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<P><HR noshade><P>

<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">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#005">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#006">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h67030exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h67030exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h67030exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), to register an additional 6,000,000
shares of common stock of Mariner Energy, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) issuable pursuant to the Mariner
Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan adopted effective May&nbsp;11, 2009 (the
&#147;Plan&#148;). The Plan amended and restated the Company&#146;s Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan (the &#147;Prior Plan&#148;). The Board of Directors of the Company recommended for approval by, and,
on May&nbsp;11, 2009, the stockholders approved the Plan which amended the Prior Plan, to among other
things, increase the number of shares available for issuance from 6,500,000 to 12,500,000. The
contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-132152) relating to the Plan are
incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

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

<!-- link1 "INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

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

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8</B><B><I>. </I></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 a 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="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to Mariner
Energy, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (File
No.&nbsp;333-132800) filed on March&nbsp;29, 2006).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 to Mariner Energy, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-4 (File No.&nbsp;333-129096) filed on October&nbsp;18,
2005).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Rights Agreement, dated as of October&nbsp;12, 2008, between
Mariner Energy, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer &#038;
Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.&#146;s Form
8-K filed on October&nbsp;14, 2008).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Designations of Series&nbsp;A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of Mariner Energy, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to Mariner&#146;s
Form&nbsp;8-K filed on October&nbsp;14, 2008).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K filed on filed
on May&nbsp;12, 2009).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</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">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</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="004"></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 registrant 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 June&nbsp;2, 2009.
</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"><B>MARINER ENERGY, INC.</B><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
&nbsp;</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="005"></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 PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Scott D. Josey, John H. Karnes and Teresa G. Bushman, and each of them, severally, as
his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom will be
authorized to act without the other, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement, 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, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her
substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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 June&nbsp;2, 2009.</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="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Scott D. Josey
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott D. Josey</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and
President<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ John H. Karnes
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John H. Karnes</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Senior 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">/s/ Bernard Aronson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bernard Aronson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director     </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Alan R. Crain, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Alan R. Crain, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director     </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Jonathan Ginns
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jonathan Ginns</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director     </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ John F. Greene
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John F. Greene</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director     </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ H. Clayton Peterson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
H. Clayton Peterson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director     </TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</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="006"></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="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to Mariner
Energy, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (File
No.&nbsp;333-132800) filed on March&nbsp;29, 2006).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 to Mariner Energy, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on
Form&nbsp;S-4 (File No.&nbsp;333-129096) filed on October&nbsp;18,
2005).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Rights Agreement, dated as of October&nbsp;12, 2008, between
Mariner Energy, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer &#038;
Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.&#146;s Form
8-K filed on October&nbsp;14, 2008).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Designations of Series&nbsp;A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of Mariner Energy, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to Mariner&#146;s
Form&nbsp;8-K filed on October&nbsp;14, 2008).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K filed on filed
on May&nbsp;12, 2009).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2*</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</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">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>






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

</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2009
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. THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Teresa Bushman
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Mariner Energy, Inc.
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
(713) 954-5505
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
copy to:
Kelly B. Rose
Baker Botts L.L.P.
910 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 229-1796
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Amount
Proposed maximum
maximum
Amount of
to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
registration
Title of securities to be registered
registered (2)
share (1)
price (1)
fee (3)
Common stock, par value $.0001 per share (2)(3)
6,000,000 shares
$
13.35
$
80,100,000
$
4,470
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the average of the high and low
prices of the common stock of Mariner Energy, Inc. reported on the New York Stock Exchange
Composite Tape on May 28, 2009.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement shall also include such additional indeterminate number of shares of common stock as
may become issuable under the Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(3)
Includes associated preferred stock purchase rights. No separate consideration is payable
for the preferred stock purchase rights. Therefore, the registration fee for such securities
is included in the registration fee for the common stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1
EX-23.1
EX-23.2
Table of Contents
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), to register an additional 6,000,000
shares of common stock of Mariner Energy, Inc. (the "Company") issuable pursuant to the Mariner
Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan adopted effective May 11, 2009 (the
"Plan"). The Plan amended and restated the Company's Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan (the "Prior Plan"). The Board of Directors of the Company recommended for approval by, and,
on May 11, 2009, the stockholders approved the Plan which amended the Prior Plan, to among other
things, increase the number of shares available for issuance from 6,500,000 to 12,500,000. The
contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-132152) relating to the Plan are
incorporated herein by reference.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8
.
Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as a part of this Registration Statement or incorporated by
reference herein:
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
—
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Mariner
Energy, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
No. 333-132800) filed on March 29, 2006).
4.2
—
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 to Mariner Energy, Inc.'s Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 333-129096) filed on October 18,
2005).
4.3
—
Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2008, between
Mariner Energy, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.'s Form
8-K filed on October 14, 2008).
4.4
—
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of Mariner Energy, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Mariner's
Form 8-K filed on October 14, 2008).
4.5
—
Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on filed
on May 12, 2009).
5.1*
—
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1*
—
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2*
—
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.3
—
Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
*
Filed herewith
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant 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 June 2, 2009.
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 PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Scott D. Josey, John H. Karnes and Teresa G. Bushman, and each of them, severally, as
his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom will be
authorized to act without the other, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement, 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, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her
substitute or 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 June 2, 2009.
/s/ Scott D. Josey
Scott D. Josey
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and
President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ John H. Karnes
John H. Karnes
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer
(Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Bernard Aronson
Bernard Aronson
Director
/s/ Alan R. Crain, Jr.
Alan R. Crain, Jr.
Director
/s/ Jonathan Ginns
Jonathan Ginns
Director
/s/ John F. Greene
John F. Greene
Director
/s/ H. Clayton Peterson
H. Clayton Peterson
Director
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
4.1
—
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Mariner Energy, Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Mariner
Energy, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
No. 333-132800) filed on March 29, 2006).
4.2
—
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mariner Energy,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.2 to Mariner Energy, Inc.'s Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 333-129096) filed on October 18,
2005).
4.3
—
Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2008, between
Mariner Energy, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, as Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.'s Form
8-K filed on October 14, 2008).
4.4
—
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of Mariner Energy, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Mariner's
Form 8-K filed on October 14, 2008).
4.5
—
Mariner Energy, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Mariner Energy Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on filed
on May 12, 2009).
5.1*
—
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1*
—
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2*
—
Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.3
—
Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
*
Filed herewith