Cobalt International Energy (Cobalt) has resumed drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico after receiving approval from US authorities for the Ligurian #2 exploratory well.

Cobalt has received APD approval from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the US Coast Guard Certificate of Compliance for the exploratory well.

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Ligurian is located in the Southern Green Canyon Area immediately adjacent to the 2009 Heidelberg discovery in which Cobalt is a part owner. The company plans to spud Ligurian #2 by the end of 2011.

Furthermore, Cobalt said the Ensco 8503 semi-submersible rig has returned to the US Gulf of Mexico following a sublet of the rig to drill a well in French Guiana.

After drilling Ligurian #2, Cobalt plans to move the semi submersible rig to drill the North Platte-1 exploration well in the Garden Banks area.

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Cobalt anticipates that each of the Ligurian #2 and North Platte #1 exploratory wells will take about six months to drill.

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Cobalt COO Van P. Whitfield said obtaining the approved APD for Ligurian #2 represents another significant milestone for Cobalt.

"Ligurian #2 will be our first company-operated well drilled in the Gulf of Mexico since the deep water drilling moratorium was enforced in May 2010" added Whitfield.

Additionally, Cobalt will obtain the additional permits required to drill and evaluate the multiple other significant world class prospects in Gulf of Mexico portfolio.

Cobalt operates Ligurian #2 well located in Green Canyon Block 814, with a 45% working interest. Other working interest owners include Total with 30% and Sonangol Exploration & Production on 25% interest. Cobalt also said it will spend cash expenditures between $500million and $550m in cash in 2012.