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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-08-015299.txt : 20080618
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-015299.hdr.sgml : 20080618
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080618175641
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-015299
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080616
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080618
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080618

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MARINER ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022345
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				860460233
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BRIAR LAKE PLAZA, SUITE 2000
		STREET 2:		2000 WEST SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139545505

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BRIAR LAKE PLAZA, SUITE 2000
		STREET 2:		2000 WEST SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MELENDREZ JESUS G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001351485

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32747
		FILM NUMBER:		08906506

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139545505

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BRIARLAKE PLAZA, SUITE 2000
		STREET 2:		2000 WEST SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77042
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001022345</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MARINER ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ME</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001351485</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MELENDREZ JESUS G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE BRIARLAKE PLAZA, SUITE 2000</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2000 WEST SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77042</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP-Corporate Development</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>55314</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>150225</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-03-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-03-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares of restricted stock granted on June 16, 2008 under Mariner Energy, Inc. Second Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as part of 2008 Long-Term Performance-Based Restricted Stock Program.   The stock generally vests as follows:  (i) 40% of the shares vest pro rata over five years on each of the first five anniversaries of the date on which the rolling 15-day average closing price per share of Mariner common stock is $38 or more but less than $46, and (ii) the remaining 60% of the shares vest pro rata over seven years on each of the first seven anniversaries of the date on which the rolling 15-day average closing price per share of Mariner common stock is $46 or more.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jesus G. Melendrez by Teresa G. Bushman pursuant to Power of Attorney dated March 21, 2006 (previously filed as Exhibit 24 to Mr. Melendrez's Form 4 filed on May 31, 2006)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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