UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): October 1, 2010

MARINER ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		1-32747 (Commission File Number)		86-0460233 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)		77042 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 954-5500

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


þ		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 8.01.		Other Events.

On October 1, 2010, Mariner Energy, Inc. (“Mariner”) issued a press release announcing the date and record date for the special meeting of stockholders of Mariner, at which stockholders of Mariner will consider and vote on, among other things, the proposed Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 14, 2010, as amended, by and among Apache Corporation (“Apache”), ZMZ Acquisitions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apache (“Merger Sub”), and Mariner, pursuant to which it is proposed that Mariner would merge with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”). The special meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. The record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is October 12, 2010.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

* * *

Notice to Investors

In connection with the Merger, Mariner and Apache will file a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING MARINER, APACHE AND THE MERGER.

A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to stockholders of Mariner seeking their approval of the Merger. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed by Mariner and Apache with the SEC at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Mariner will be available free of charge on Mariner’s website at www.mariner-energy.com under the tab “Investor Information” or by contacting Mariner’s Investor Relations Department at 713-954-5558. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Apache will be available free of charge on Apache’s website at www.apachecorp.com under the tab “Investors” or by contacting Apache’s Investor Relations Department at 713-296-6000. You may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.

Participants in Solicitation

Mariner, its directors, executive officers and certain members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of Mariner in connection with the Merger. Information concerning the interests of the persons who may be “participants” in the solicitation will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available). Information concerning beneficial ownership of Mariner stock by its directors and certain executive officers is included in its proxy statement dated March 29, 2010 and subsequent statements of changes in beneficial ownership on file with the SEC.

Apache, its directors, executive officers and certain members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of Mariner in connection with the Merger. Information concerning the interests of the persons who may be “participants” in the solicitation will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (when available). Information concerning beneficial ownership of Apache stock by

its directors and certain executive officers is included in its proxy statement dated March 31, 2010 and subsequent statements of changes in beneficial ownership on file with the SEC.


Item 9.01		Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.


Number		Description
	99.1	Press Release dated October 1, 2010.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	MARINER ENERGY, INC.
Date: October 1, 2010	By:	/s/ Jesus G. Melendrez
		Jesus G. Melendrez
		Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Number		Description
	99.1	Press Release dated October 1, 2010.

MARINER ENERGY INC 8-K