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): August 5, 2013

Cobalt International Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 579-9100

N/A

(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:

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

o 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 1.01.                                                   Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On August 5, 2013, Cobalt International Energy, L.P., a subsidiary of Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (the “Company”), executed a drilling contract with Rowan Reliance Limited, an affiliate of Rowan Companies plc, for the Rowan Reliance, a new-build, ultra-deepwater dynamically positioned drillship that will support the Company’s U.S. Gulf of Mexico drilling campaign. The Rowan Reliance drillship will be capable of operating in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drilling to measured depths of up to 40,000 feet.  The drilling contract provides for a firm three-year commitment, expected to begin in early 2015, at a day rate of approximately $602,000 (inclusive of mobilization fees) and two one-year extension options at day rates to be mutually agreed. Such rates are subject to standard reimbursement and escalation contractual provisions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 — 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 the Company’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 the Company’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this Current Report on Form 8-K, other than as required by law. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 9, 2013

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