Cobalt Posts Smaller Loss for Q1

Cobalt Posts Smaller Loss for Q1

Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Cobalt International Energy, Inc.

Cobalt International Energy, Inc. on Tuesday announced a net loss of $16.1 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2011, compared to a net loss of $29.7 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010.

Cash expenditures (excluding changes in working capital) for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 were approximately $11 million compared to guidance of $20 25 million. For the full year 2011, expected cash expenditures (excluding changes in working capital) including the cash expenditures associated with Block 20 offshore Angola are $325 to 400 million. The range depends principally on when Cobalt recommences Gulf of Mexico drilling activities in the second half of 2011, and the testing and appraisal expenditures associated with any discoveries offshore Angola.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments at the end of the first quarter were approximately $843 million. This excludes approximately $349 million designated for future operations held in escrow and collateralizing letters of credit, as well as approximately $196 million in the TOTAL drilling fund for the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to these balances, Cobalt closed a common stock offering on April 15, 2011, which resulted in total gross proceeds to Cobalt before underwriting discounts and offering expenses of $499.1 million. Cobalt has no short or long-term debt. Including the proceeds from the offering, Cobalt holds cash, cash equivalents and investments of over $1.67 billion which Cobalt expects will be sufficient to fund its planned exploration and appraisal program, including expenditures relating to Block 20 offshore Angola, through the end of 2013.
Cobalt is an independent oil exploration and production company focusing on the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Angola and Gabon. Cobalt was formed in 2005 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.