Cobalt International Energy, Inc. ("Cobalt") (NYSE:CIE) today announced the election of Mr. John E. Hagale to Cobalt’s Board of Directors. Mr. Hagale’s election brings the number of directors to ten. His initial term as a director is effective March 1, 2016, and will expire at Cobalt’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Upon joining the Board of Directors, Mr. Hagale will be appointed as a member of Cobalt’s Audit Committee.

Mr. Hagale served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Rosetta Resources, Inc. from November 2011 until its merger with Noble Energy, Inc. in July 2015. Prior to joining Rosetta, Mr. Hagale was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of The Methodist Hospital System from June 2003 through October 2011. He was also employed with Burlington Resources Inc. and its predecessor Burlington Northern Inc. for 15 years where he held a series of executive financial positions with increasing responsibilities, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Burlington Resources Inc. Mr. Hagale began his career with Deloitte Haskins and Sells. Mr. Hagale holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He has more than 30 years of financial and accounting experience and is a certified public accountant.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the addition of John Hagale to Cobalt’s Board,” said Joseph H. Bryant, Cobalt’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “John’s vast financial and corporate governance capabilities combined with his extensive knowledge and understanding of complex financial transactions will be of great benefit to Cobalt and to our shareholders, particularly during these challenging times in our industry. I look forward to welcoming John as a member of our Board.”

About Cobalt

Cobalt is an independent exploration and production company active in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore West Africa. 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 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 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, 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 press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.