Cobalt International Energy Shares Launched Higher: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of oil explorer Cobalt International Energy (NYSE: CIE  ) hit pay dirt this morning, rising 32% after signing a deal to drill for oil off the Angolan coast.

So what: Cobalt and six other oil companies signed contracts for blocks in Angola's pre-salt ultra-deepwater fields, believed to be similar to what has been discovered off Brazil's coast. The company will be the operator of Block 20 with a 40% working interest, partnering with Sonangol Pesquisa e Producao S.A. (30%), BP Exploration Angola (20%), and China Sonangol International (10%).

Now what: If this field is as big and successful as some believe, the company will be in a prime position with Block 9, Block 21, and now Block 20. The company is planning to drill its first well in 2013, and after finding encouraging results in Block 21, production should expand. Other firms such as Statoil (NYSE: STO  ) and Total (NYSE: TOT  ) were also awarded blocks today, but as one of the smallest players, the upside for Cobalt is tremendous. I think shares can continue rising as production results come out and investors get a better feel for how much oil will be produced in the region.

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