Report of Foreign Issuer (6-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report: August 30, 2016

Commission File Number 001-35345

PACIFIC DRILLING S.A.

8-10, Avenue de la Gare

L-1610 Luxembourg

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F x Form 40-F o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form, is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o No x

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

On August 30, 2016, we posted to our website our updated Fleet Status Report dated August 30, 2016. A copy of that report is attached to this report on Form 6-K as Exhibit 99.1.

The Fleet Status Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, unless the Company specifically incorporates the information by reference in a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

By filing this report on Form 6-K and furnishing this information, the Company makes no admission as to the materiality of any information contained in this report. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the information contained in this report, although the Company may do so from time to time as management believes is warranted.

Certain expectations and projections regarding the Company’s future performance referenced in the Fleet Status Report are forward-looking statements. These expectations and projections are based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and are subject to future events and uncertainties. In addition to the above cautionary statements, all forward-looking statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s SEC filings, including the risk factors described therein, and other public announcements.

SIGNATURES

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, thereunto duly authorized.