Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - Cobalt International Energy, Inc.a11-11185_28k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Cobalt International Energy, Inc. Announces First Quarter Results and Update on West Africa Drilling Program

 

HOUSTON, TX— May 3, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (“Cobalt”) (NYSE:CIE) today 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.

 

West Africa Pre-Salt Program

 

Cobalt is also pleased to announce today that Sonangol has approved the drilling plans for the Cobalt-operated Cameia-1 and Bicuar-1 pre-salt exploratory wells on Block 21 offshore Angola.  Given the proximity of the well locations, Cobalt plans to drill the surface hole of Bicuar-1, move the rig to Cameia-1 to drill and evaluate the prospect, then return to Bicuar-1 to drill the well to total depth. Cobalt anticipates drilling operations offshore Angola to commence in the second quarter, in-line with previously disclosed guidance.

 

Also during the second quarter, Cobalt anticipates the signing and formal award of its 40% working interest and operatorship in Block 20 offshore Angola.

 



 

A conference call for investors will be held today at 10 a.m. Central Time (11 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss Cobalt’s first quarter results and operations activity.  Hosting the call will be Joseph H. Bryant, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and John P. Wilkirson, Chief Financial Officer.

 

The call can be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (877) 407-0784, or for international callers, (201) 689-8560.  A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176, or for international callers, (858) 384-5517.  The passcode for the replay is 370846.  The replay will be available until May 17, 2011.

 

Interested parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by accessing the Investors- Presentations and Publications section of Cobalt’s website at www.cobaltintl.com.  A replay of the conference call will also be available for approximately 30 days following the call.

 

About Cobalt

 

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.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — that is, statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address Cobalt’s expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “will” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties, individuals should refer to Cobalt’s SEC filings. Cobalt undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 

Contacts

 

Investor Relations:

 

Media Relations:

John P. Wilkirson

 

Lynne L. Hackedorn

Chief Financial Officer

 

Vice President, Government, Public Affairs, Land

+1 (713) 452-2322

 

+1 (713) 579-9115

 



 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Information:

 

 

 

Quarter Ending March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share data)

 

Oil and gas revenue

 

$

 

$

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Seismic and exploration

 

2,440

 

(8,317

)

Dry hole expense and impairment

 

2,514

 

25,852

 

General and administrative

 

11,618

 

12,112

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

183

 

182

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

16,755

 

29,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(16,755

)

(29,829

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

697

 

97

 

Total other income (expense)

 

697

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before income tax

 

(16,058

)

(29,732

)

Income tax expense

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(16,058

)

$

(29,732

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.09

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

350,848,559

 

348,122,446

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Information:

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

185,200

 

$

302,720

 

Short-term restricted cash

 

10,800

 

 

Short-term investments

 

599,966

 

534,933

 

Total current assets

 

856,371

 

889,632

 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

461,486

 

463,769

 

Long-term restricted cash

 

338,658

 

338,515

 

Long-term investments

 

57,500

 

40,003

 

Total assets

 

1,730,493

 

1,746,443

 

Total current liabilities

 

20,781

 

24,559

 

Total long-term obligations

 

2,850

 

2,850

 

Total stockholders’ equity (350,972,742 and 350,733,998 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)

 

1,706,862

 

1,719,034

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

1,730,493

 

1,746,443

 

 



 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information:

 

 

 

Quarter Ending March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

(22,197

)

$

(59,568

)

Investing activities

 

(95,323

)

(153,008

)

Financing activities

 

 

101,256