1022345--3/1/2010--MARINER_ENERGY

related topics

{gas, price, oil}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{loss, insurance, financial}

{debt, indebtedness, cash}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{loan, real, estate}

{regulation, change, law}

{interest, director, officer}

{condition, economic, financial}

{cost, operation, labor}

The recent worldwide financial and credit crisis could lead to an extended worldwide economic recession and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and liquidity. Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will affect materially the quantities and present value of our reserves, which may lower our bank borrowing base and reduce our access to capital. In estimating future net revenues from estimated proved reserves, we assume that future prices and costs are fixed and apply a fixed discount factor. If any such assumption or the discount factor is materially inaccurate, our revenues, profitability and cash flow could be materially less than our estimates. If oil and natural gas prices decrease, we may be required to write-down the carrying value and/or the estimates of total reserves of our oil and natural gas properties. We need to replace our reserves at a faster rate than companies whose reserves have longer production periods. Our failure to replace our reserves would result in decreasing reserves and production over time. Of our total estimated proved reserves, approximately 30% are undeveloped and ultimately may be reclassified as unproved or not be developed, and 20% are developed non-producing and may not be produced. Any production problems related to our Gulf of Mexico properties could reduce our revenue, profitability and cash flow materially. Our exploration and development activities may not be commercially successful. Our exploratory drilling projects are based in part on seismic data, which is costly and cannot ensure the commercial success of the project. Oil and gas drilling and production involve many business and operating risks, any one of which could reduce our levels of production, cause substantial losses or prevent us from realizing profits. Our offshore operations involve special risks that could increase our cost of operations and adversely affect our ability to produce oil and natural gas. Our hedging transactions may not protect us adequately from fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices and may limit future potential gains from increases in commodity prices or result in losses. Counterparty contract default could have an adverse effect on us. Market conditions or transportation impediments may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our production. The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or personnel could affect adversely our ability to execute on a timely basis our exploration and development plans within budget, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense and many of our competitors have resources that are greater than ours, giving them an advantage in evaluating and obtaining properties and prospects. Financial difficulties encountered by our farm-out partners, working interest owners or third-party operators could adversely affect our ability to timely complete the exploration and development of our prospects. We cannot control the timing or scope of drilling and development activities on properties we do not operate, and therefore we may not be in a position to control the associated costs or the rate of production of the reserves. Compliance with environmental and other government regulations could be costly and could affect production negatively. Compliance with MMS regulations could significantly delay or curtail our operations or require us to make material expenditures, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Our insurance may not fully protect us against our business and operating risks. The proposed U.S. federal budget for fiscal year 2010 includes certain provisions that, if passed as originally submitted, will have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Risks Relating to Significant Acquisitions and Other Strategic Transactions The evaluation and integration of significant acquisitions may be difficult. If we fail to realize the anticipated benefits of a significant acquisition, our results of operations may be lower than we expect. Financing and other liabilities of a significant acquisition may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations or be dilutive to stockholders. Properties we acquire may not produce as projected, and we may be unable to determine reserve potential, identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers against such liabilities. We will require additional capital to fund our future activities. If we fail to obtain additional capital, we may not be able to implement fully our business plan, which could lead to a decline in reserves. We may not be able to generate enough cash flow to meet our debt obligations. Our debt level and the covenants in the agreements governing our debt could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our debt obligations.

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1022345--3/1/2010--MARINER_ENERGY_INC