<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                            [RYDER SCOTT LETTERHEAD]




                                  March 7, 2000





Mariner Energy, Inc.
580 WestLake Park Blvd., Suite 1300
Houston, Texas  77079

Gentlemen:

                  At your request, we have prepared an estimate of the reserves,
future production, and income attributable to certain leasehold interests of
Mariner Energy, Inc. (Mariner) as of January 1, 2000. The subject properties are
located in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and in the federal
waters offshore Louisiana and Texas. The income data were estimated using the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidelines for future price and cost
parameters.

                  The estimated reserves and future income amounts presented in
this report are related to hydrocarbon prices. December 1999 hydrocarbon prices
were used in the preparation of this report as required by SEC guidelines;
however, actual future prices may vary significantly from December 1999 prices.
Therefore, volumes of reserves actually recovered and amounts of income actually
received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in
this report. The results of this study are summarized below.


                                 SEC PARAMETERS
                     Estimated Net Reserves and Income Data
                         Certain Leasehold Interests of
                              MARINER ENERGY, INC.
                              As of January 1, 2000

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Proved
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Developed
                                           -------------------------------------                                   Total
                                            Producing              Non-Producing         Undeveloped               Proved
                                           ------------            -------------         ------------           ------------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>                  <C>                    <C>
NET REMAINING RESERVES
  Oil/Condensate - Barrels                    3,630,055                 158,931             6,125,830              9,914,816
  Plant Products - Barrels                        4,292                   6,003                 1,385                 11,680
  Gas - MMCF                                     73,308                   9,452                36,030                118,790

INCOME DATA
  Future Gross Revenue                     $246,981,784             $24,406,318          $218,853,706           $490,238,808
  Deductions                                 70,401,284               8,177,354           114,876,803            193,455,441
                                           ------------             -----------          ------------           ------------
  Future Net Income (FNI)                  $176,580,500             $16,228,964          $103,973,903           $296,783,367

  Discounted FNI @ 10%                     $141,110,144             $12,552,032          $ 57,563,969           $211,226,145
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   2

Mariner Energy, Inc.
March 7, 2000
Page 2



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Probable
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Developed
                                           -------------------------------------                                   Total
                                            Producing              Non-Producing         Undeveloped               Probable
                                           ------------            -------------         ------------           ------------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>                  <C>                    <C>
NET REMAINING RESERVES
  Oil/Condensate - Barrels                    1,414,543                  12,346             1,763,383              3,190,272
  Plant Products - Barrels                            0                       0                 1,411                  1,411
  Gas - MMCF                                     28,550                   1,869                 8,813                 39,232

INCOME DATA
  Future Gross Revenue                     $ 94,434,319             $ 4,353,718          $ 57,172,991           $155,961,028
  Deductions                                 12,826,818                 581,351            10,837,567             24,245,736
                                           ------------             -----------          ------------           ------------
  Future Net Income (FNI)                  $ 81,607,501             $ 3,772,367          $ 46,335,424           $131,715,292

  Discounted FNI @ 10%                     $ 57,300,492             $ 2,623,352          $ 32,319,329           $ 92,243,173
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Possible
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Developed
                                           -------------------------------------                                   Total
                                            Producing              Non-Producing         Undeveloped               Possible
                                           ------------            -------------         ------------           ------------
<S>                                        <C>                      <C>                  <C>                    <C>
NET REMAINING RESERVES
  Oil/Condensate - Barrels                        2,729                   1,162             1,609,346              1,613,237
  Plant Products - Barrels                            0                       0                     0                      0
  Gas - MMCF                                      1,378                   1,566                 1,936                  4,880

INCOME DATA
  Future Gross Revenue                     $  3,024,209             $ 3,306,100          $ 38,693,373           $ 45,023,682
  Deductions                                     88,520                 418,656             6,114,866              6,622,042
                                           ------------             -----------          ------------           ------------
  Future Net Income (FNI)                  $  2,935,689             $ 2,887,444          $ 32,578,507           $ 38,401,640

  Discounted FNI @ 10%                     $  1,975,923             $ 1,824,394          $ 19,766,637           $ 23,566,954
</TABLE>

                  Liquid hydrocarbons are expressed in standard 42 gallon
barrels. All gas volumes are sales gas expressed in millions of cubic feet
(MMCF) at the official temperature and pressure bases of the areas in which the
gas reserves are located.

                  The future gross revenue is after the deduction of production
taxes. The deductions are comprised of the normal direct costs of operating the
wells, ad valorem taxes, recompletion costs, development costs, and certain
abandonment costs net of salvage. The future net income is before the deduction
of state and federal income taxes and general administrative overhead, and has
not been adjusted for outstanding loans that may exist nor does it include any
adjustment for cash on hand or undistributed income. No attempt was made to
quantify or otherwise account for any accumulated gas production imbalances that
may exist. Gas reserves account for approximately 52.8 percent, liquid
hydrocarbon account for approximately 47.1 percent, and plant product reserves
account for the remaining .1 percent of total future gross revenue from proved
reserves.

                  The discounted future net income shown above was calculated
using a discount rate of 10 percent per annum compounded monthly. Future net
income was discounted at four other discount rates which were also compounded
monthly. These results are shown on each estimated projection of future
production and income presented in a later section of this report and in summary
form below.



<PAGE>   3

Mariner Energy, Inc.
March 7, 2000
Page 3



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Discounted Future Net Income
                                                                  As of January 1, 2000
                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Discount Rate                  Total                    Total                   Total
                      Percent                    Proved                   Probable                Possible
                ---------------------      --------------------      -------------------      -----------------

<S>                                        <C>                       <C>                     <C>
                         15                   $187,191,557              $78,279,304             $18,729,423
                         20                   $168,461,313              $66,923,133             $14,999,094
                         25                   $153,163,797              $57,595,952             $12,094,996
                         30                   $140,291,355              $49,870,830             $ 9,815,545
</TABLE>

The results shown above are presented for your information and should not be
construed as our estimate of fair market value.

RESERVES INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

                  The proved reserves included herein conform to the definition
as set forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-X Part
210.4-10 (a) as clarified by subsequent Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins.
The probable reserves and possible reserves included herein conform to
definitions of probable and possible reserves approved by the Society of
Petroleum Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers. The
definitions of proved, probable, and possible reserves are included under the
tab "Reserve Definitions and Pricing Assumptions" in this report.

                  We have included probable and possible reserves and income in
this report at the request of Mariner. These data are for Mariner's information
only and should not be included in reports to the SEC according to the SEC
guidelines. The probable reserves are less certain to be recovered than the
proved reserves and reserves classified as possible are less certain to be
recovered than those in the probable category. The reserves and income
quantities attributable to the different reserve classifications that are
included herein have not been adjusted to reflect the varying degrees of risk
associated with them and thus are not comparable.

                  The proved, probable and possible developed non-producing
reserves included herein are comprised of shut-in and behind pipe categories.
The various reserve status categories are defined under the tab "Reserve
Definitions and Pricing Assumptions" in this report.

ESTIMATES OF RESERVES

                  In general, the reserves included herein were estimated by
performance methods or the volumetric method; however, other methods were used
in certain cases where characteristics of the data indicated such other methods
were more appropriate in our opinion. The reserves estimated by the performance
method utilized extrapolations of various historical data in those cases where
such data were definitive. Reserves were estimated by the volumetric method in
those cases where there were inadequate historical performance data to establish
a definitive trend or where the use of production performance data as a basis
for the reserve estimates was considered to be inappropriate.

                  The reserves included in this report are estimates only and
should not be construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be
actually recovered, and if recovered, the revenues therefrom and the actual
costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts.
Moreover, estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of future
operations.


<PAGE>   4

Mariner Energy, Inc.
March 7, 2000
Page 4


FUTURE PRODUCTION RATES

                  Initial production rates are based on the current producing
rates for those wells now on production. Test data and other related information
were used to estimate the anticipated initial production rates for those wells
or locations which are not currently producing. If no production decline trend
has been established, future production rates were held constant, or adjusted
for the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until a decline in ability to
produce was anticipated. An estimated rate of decline was then applied to
depletion of the reserves. If a decline trend has been established, this trend
was used as the basis for estimating future production rates. For reserves not
yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at an anticipated date
furnished by Mariner.

                  In general, we estimate that future gas production rates
limited by allowables or marketing conditions will continue to be the same as
the average rate for the latest available 12 months of actual production until
such time that the well or wells are incapable of producing at this rate. The
well or wells were then projected to decline at their decreasing delivery
capacity rate. Our general policy on estimates of future gas production rates is
adjusted when necessary to reflect actual gas market conditions in specific
cases.

                  The future production rates from wells now on production may
be more or less than estimated because of changes in market demand or allowables
set by regulatory bodies. Wells or locations which are not currently producing
may start producing earlier or later than anticipated in our estimates of their
future production rates.

HYDROCARBON PRICES

                  Mariner furnished us with prices in effect at January 1, 2000
and these prices were held constant except for known and determinable
escalations. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines,
changes in liquid and gas prices subsequent to December 31, 1999, were not taken
into account in this report. Future prices used in this report are discussed in
more detail under the tab "Reserve Definitions and Pricing Assumptions" in this
report.

COSTS

                  Operating costs for the leases and wells in this report are
based on the operating expense reports of Mariner and include only those costs
directly applicable to the leases or wells. When applicable, the operating costs
include a portion of general and administrative costs allocated directly to the
leases and wells under terms of operating agreements. No deduction was made for
indirect costs such as general administration and overhead expenses, loan
repayments, interest expenses, and exploration and development prepayments that
are not charged directly to the leases or wells.

                  Development costs were furnished to us by Mariner and are
based on authorizations for expenditure for the proposed work or actual costs
for similar projects. The estimated net cost of abandonment after salvage was
included for properties where abandonment costs net of salvage are significant.
The estimates of the net abandonment costs furnished by Mariner were accepted
without independent verification.

                  Current costs were held constant throughout the life of the
properties.


<PAGE>   5

Mariner Energy, Inc.
March 7, 2000
Page 5


GENERAL

                  Table A presents a one line summary of proved reserve and
income data for each of the subject properties which are ranked according to
their future net income discounted at 10 percent per year. Table B presents a
one line summary of gross and net reserves and income data for each of the
subject properties. Table C presents a one line summary of initial basic data
for each of the subject properties. Tables 1 through 335 present our estimated
projection of production and income by years beginning January 1, 2000, by
state, field, and lease or well.

                  While it may reasonably be anticipated that the future prices
received for the sale of production and the operating costs and other costs
relating to such production may also increase or decrease from existing levels,
such changes were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from
consideration in making this evaluation.

                  The estimates of reserves presented herein were based upon a
detailed study of the properties in which Mariner owns an interest; however, we
have not made any field examination of the properties. No consideration was
given in this report to potential environmental liabilities which may exist nor
were any costs included for potential liability to restore and clean up damages,
if any, caused by past operating practices. Mariner has informed us that they
have furnished us all of the accounts, records, geological and engineering data,
and reports and other data required for this investigation. The ownership
interests, prices, and other factual data furnished by Mariner were accepted
without independent verification. The estimates presented in this report are
based on data available through December 1999.

                  Neither we nor any of our employees have any interest in the
subject properties and neither the employment to make this study nor the
compensation is contingent on our estimates of reserves and future income for
the subject properties.

                  This report was prepared for the exclusive use and sole
benefit of Mariner Energy, Inc. The data, work papers, and maps used in this
report are available for examination by authorized parties in our offices.
Please contact us if we can be of further service.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.



                                     Timothy J. Torres, P.E.
                                     Petroleum Engineer
JRW/sw


Approved:


--------------------------------
John R. Warner, P.E.
Senior Vice President


<PAGE>   6








                             DEFINITIONS OF RESERVES




PROVED RESERVES  (SEC DEFINITION)

         Proved reserves of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, and natural gas
liquids are estimated quantities that geological and engineering data
demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known
reservoirs under existing operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the
date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing
prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalation based on
future conditions.

         Reservoirs are considered proved if economic producibility is supported
by either actual production or conclusive formation test. In certain instances,
proved reserves are assigned on the basis of a combination of core analysis and
electrical and other type logs which indicate the reservoirs are analogous to
reservoirs in the same field which are producing or have demonstrated the
ability to produce on a formation test. The area of a reservoir considered
proved includes (1) that portion delineated by drilling and defined by fluid
contacts, if any, and (2) the adjoining portions not yet drilled that can be
reasonably judged as economically productive on the basis of available
geological and engineering data. In the absence of data on fluid contacts, the
lowest known structural occurrence of hydrocarbons controls the lower proved
limit of the reservoir.

         Reserves that can be produced economically through the application of
improved recovery techniques are included in the proved classification when
these qualifications are met: (1) successful testing by a pilot project or the
operation of an installed program in the reservoir provides support for the
engineering analysis on which the project or program was based, and (2) it is
reasonably certain the project will proceed. Improved recovery includes all
methods for supplementing natural reservoir forces and energy, or otherwise
increasing ultimate recovery from a reservoir, including (1) pressure
maintenance, (2) cycling, and (3) secondary recovery in its original sense.
Improved recovery also includes the enhanced recovery methods of thermal,
chemical flooding, and the use of miscible and immiscible displacement fluids.

         Proved natural gas reserves are comprised of non-associated, associated
and dissolved gas. An appropriate reduction in gas reserves has been made for
the expected removal of natural gas liquids, for lease and plant fuel, and for
the exclusion of non-hydrocarbon gases if they occur in significant quantities
and are removed prior to sale. Estimates of proved reserves do not include crude
oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids being held in underground or surface
storage.

         Proved reserves are estimates of hydrocarbons to be recovered from a
given date forward. They may be revised as hydrocarbons are produced and
additional data become available.



<PAGE>   7



Definitions of Reserves
Page 2



UNPROVED RESERVES (SPE/SPEE DEFINITIONS)

         Unproved reserves are based on geologic and/or engineering data similar
to that used in estimates of proved reserves; but technical, contractual,
economic, or regulatory uncertainties preclude such reserves being classified as
proved. They may be estimated assuming future conditions different from those
prevailing at the time of the estimate.

         Estimates of unproved reserves may be made for internal planning or
special evaluations, but are not routinely compiled.

         Unproved reserves are not to be added to proved reserves because of
different levels of uncertainty.

         Unproved reserves may be divided into two subclassifications: PROBABLE
and POSSIBLE.

PROBABLE RESERVES

         Probable reserves are less certain than proved reserves and can be
estimated with a degree of certainty sufficient to indicate they are more likely
to be recovered than not.

         In general, probable reserves may include (1) reserves anticipated to
be proved by normal stepout drilling when subsurface control is inadequate to
classify these reserves as proved; (2) reserves in formations that appear to be
productive based on log characteristics but that lack core data or definitive
tests and which are not analogous to producing or proved reservoirs in the area;
(3) incremental reserves attributable to infill drilling that otherwise could be
classified as proved but closer statutory spacing had not been approved at the
time of the estimate; (4) reserves attributable to an improved recovery method
that has been established by repeated commercially successful applications when
a project or pilot is planned but not in operation and rock, fluid, and
reservoir characteristics appear favorable for commercial application; (5)
reserves in an area of a formation that has been proved productive in other
areas of the field but subject area appears to be separated from the proved area
by faulting and the geologic interpretation indicates subject area is
structurally higher than the proved area; (6) reserves attributable to a
successful workover, treatment, retreatment, change of equipment, or other
mechanical procedure, where such procedure has not been proved successful in
wells exhibiting similar behavior in analogous reservoirs; and (7) incremental
reserves in a proved producing reservoir where an alternate interpretation of
performance or volumetric data indicates significantly more reserves than can be
classified as proved.

POSSIBLE RESERVES

      Possible reserves are less certain than probable reserves and can be
estimated with a low degree of certainty, insufficient to indicate whether they
are more likely to be recovered than not.

         In general, possible reserves may include (1) reserves suggested by
structural and/or stratigraphic extrapolation beyond areas classified as
probable, based on geologic and/or geophysical interpretation; (2) reserves in
formations that appears to be hydrocarbon bearing based on logs or cores but
that may not be productive at commercial rates; (3) incremental reserves
attributable to infill drilling that are subject to technical uncertainty; (4)
reserves attributable to an improved recovery method when a project or pilot is
planned but not in operation and rock, fluid, and reservoir characteristics are
such that a reasonable doubt exists that the project will be commercial; and (5)
reserves in an area of a formation that has been proved productive in other
areas of the field but subject area appears to be separated from the proved area
by faulting and geologic interpretation indicates subject area is structurally
lower than the proved area.



<PAGE>   8






                           RESERVE STATUS CATEGORIES



         Reserve status categories define the development and producing status
of wells and/or reservoirs.

PROVED DEVELOPED (SEC DEFINITION)

         Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected
to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating
methods. Additional oil and gas expected to be obtained through the application
of fluid injection or other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the
natural forces and mechanisms of primary recovery should be included as "proved
developed reserves" only after testing by a pilot project or after the operation
of an installed program has confirmed through production response that increased
recovery will be achieved.

         Developed reserves may be subcategorized as producing or non-producing
using the SPE/SPEE Definitions:

    Producing

    Producing reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals
    open at the time of the estimate and producing. Improved recovery reserves
    are considered to be producing only after an improved recovery project is in
    operation.

    Non-Producing

    Non-producing reserves include shut-in and behind pipe reserves. Shut-in
    reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals open at the
    time of the estimate, but which had not started producing, or were shut-in
    for market conditions or pipeline connection, or were not capable of
    production for mechanical reasons, and the time when sales will start is
    uncertain. Behind pipe reserves are expected to be recovered from zones
    behind casing in existing wells, which will require additional completion
    work or a future recompletion prior to the start of production.

PROVED UNDEVELOPED (SEC DEFINITION)

         Proved undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves that are expected
to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells
where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on
undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling units offsetting productive
units that are reasonably certain of production when drilled. Proved reserves
for other undrilled units can be claimed only where it can be demonstrated with
certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive
formation. Estimates for proved undeveloped reserves are attributable to any
acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved technique
is contemplated, only when such techniques have been proved effective by actual
tests in the area and in the same reservoir.




<PAGE>   9






                         HYDROCARBON PRICING PARAMETERS

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PARAMETERS



OIL AND CONDENSATE

                  Mariner furnished us with oil and condensate prices in effect
at December 31, 1999 and these prices were held constant to depletion of the
properties. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines,
changes in liquid prices subsequent to December 31, 1999 were not considered in
this report.

PLANT PRODUCTS

                  Mariner furnished us with plant product prices in effect at
December 31, 1999 and these prices were held constant to depletion of the
properties.

GAS

                  Mariner furnished us with gas prices in effect at December 31,
1999 and with its forecasts of future gas prices which take into account SEC
guidelines, current spot market prices, contract prices, and fixed and
determinable price escalations where applicable. In accordance with SEC
guidelines, the future gas prices used in this report make no allowances for
future gas price increases which may occur as a result of inflation nor do they
make any allowance for seasonal variations in gas prices which may cause future
yearly average gas prices to be somewhat lower than December 31, 1999 gas
prices. For gas sold under contract, the contract gas price including fixed and
determinable escalations, exclusive of inflation adjustments, was used until the
contract expires and then was adjusted to the current market price for the area
and held at this adjusted price to depletion of the reserves.