HOUSTON, April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ME) announced today the appointment of Charles H. Odom to the position of Vice President-Offshore Land and Business Development.

"Charlie brings more than 30 years of experience in the petroleum industry, with a focus on leasing and negotiations in the Gulf of Mexico. He is a welcome asset to our executive team," said Scott D. Josey, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Mariner Energy.

Most recently, Mr. Odom was vice president at Santos USA and was responsible for all negotiation, land, leasing, contract administration, and risk and project management. He was a principal at Gryphon Exploration Company, a Gulf of Mexico focused exploration and production company, managing business development and strategic direction, including its sale to an international petroleum company. He also founded and was president of C.H. Odom Company, a management consulting firm specializing in competitive analysis, strategic development, and energy investment. Mr. Odom is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in petroleum land management. He is active in numerous industry groups and activities, including the Independent Petroleum Association of America, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, and the Houston Energy Finance Group. He will be based in Mariner's Houston office.

About Mariner Energy, Inc.

Mariner Energy is an independent oil and gas exploration, development, and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with principal operations in the Permian Basin and the Gulf of Mexico deepwater and shelf. For more information about Mariner, visit the company's website at www.mariner-energy.com.

SOURCE Mariner Energy, Inc.