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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-07-059384.txt : 20071023
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-07-059384.hdr.sgml : 20071023
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071023163159
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-07-059384
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071023
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071023

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:			KARNES JOHN H JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001030191
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONSTRUCTION SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS [1700]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-32747
		FILM NUMBER:		071185924

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8585 N STEMMONS FRWY
		STREET 2:		SOUTH TOWER
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75247
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2148197000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8585 N STEMMONS FREEWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 102
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75247
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>h50445_2jhk.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-10-23</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001030191</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KARNES JOHN H JR</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, CFO &amp; Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-10-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1366</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35758</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On October 23, 2007, 3,750 shares of the issuer's common stock granted to the reporting person under the issuer's Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated from time to time (the &quot;Plan&quot;),  vested.  To satisfy withholding tax obligations in connection with the vesting, the issuer withheld the shares this Form reports were disposed.  In accordance with the Plan, the number of shares withheld was determined by reference to the closing price per share of the issuer's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October 22, 2007 of $23.31.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John H. Karnes by Teresa Bushman pursuant to Power of Attorney dated October 17, 2006 (previously filed as Exhibit 24 to Mr. Karnes' Form 3 filed October 20, 2006)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-10-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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