Noble Corporation Explained

Noble Corporation plc
Type:Public
Predecessor:Noble Drilling Corporation
Hq Location:Organized in London
Main office in Sugar Land, Texas, United States
Key People:Robert W. Eifler, President & CEO
Richard B. Barker, CFO
Industry:Petroleum industry
Services:Offshore Drilling
Revenue: $0.964 billion (2020)
Net Income: -$3.978 billion (2020)
Assets: $4.263 billion (2020)
Equity: -$0.311 billion (2020)
Num Employees:1,500 (2020)
Footnotes:[1]

Noble Corporation plc is an offshore drilling contractor organized in London, England. Its affiliate, Noble Corporation, is organized in the Cayman Islands. It is the corporate successor of Noble Drilling Corporation.

The company operates 24 drilling rigs including eight drillships, four semi-submersible platforms, and 12 jackup rigs.[1]

In 2020, 26.6% of revenues were from ExxonMobil, 21.7% of revenues were from Shell, 14.3% of revenues were from Equinor, and 13.8% of revenues were from Saudi Aramco.[1]

History

In 1985, Noble Affiliates, Inc., completed the corporate spin-off of Noble Drilling Corporation.

In 2002, the company underwent a restructuring whereby it moved its domicile to the Cayman Islands and established Noble Corporation as the parent holding company.[2]

In early 2009, the company moved its domicile from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland due to the potential for more U.S. taxes on Caribbean tax havens. In 2013, the company moved to the United Kingdom.[3]

In 2010, the company acquired Frontier Drilling in a $2.16 billion cash transaction.[4]

In 2014, the company distributed its interests in Paragon Offshore plc to its shareholders.[5]

In July 2020, the company filed for bankruptcy;[6] it emerged from bankruptcy in February 2021.[7]

In April 2021, the company acquired Pacific Drilling.[8]

In November 2021, it was announced that Maersk Drilling would merge with Noble Corporation and the combined company would be called Noble Corporation, with a valuation of £2.6 billion.[9] The merger was completed on October 3, 2022.[10]

In June 2024, the company announced it would acquire Diamond Offshore Drilling for $1.6 billion in a cash-and-stock deal.[11]

Accidents and incidents

In 2012, the Noble Discoverer drillship, operating under contract for Shell lost its mooring and drifted close to shore. There were no injuries or environmental damage reported as a result of the accident.[12]

In 2017, an employee went missing on the Noble Lloyd Noble drilling rig.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Noble Corporation plc 2020 Form 10-K Annual Report . United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
  2. News: Noble Drilling Corporation 2004 Annual Report . Noble Drilling Corporation.
  3. News: Noble Corp changing countries again, this time to UK . Braden . Reddall . . July 1, 2013.
  4. Noble Corporation Enters Into Agreement to Acquire Frontier Drilling and Strengthens Key Strategic Relationship . . June 28, 2010.
  5. Noble Corporation Completes Spin-Off Of Paragon Offshore . . August 4, 2014.
  6. News: Noble Corp. files massive bankruptcy in Houston . Joshua . Mann . . July 31, 2020.
  7. Noble Holding Corporation plc Successfully Completes Balance Sheet Restructuring And Emerges From Chapter 11 . . February 8, 2021.
  8. Noble Corporation Completes Combination With Pacific Drilling . . April 16, 2021.
  9. Web site: Regulator warns of more oil and gas price hikes after North Sea merger . 22 April 2022 .
  10. plc . Noble Corporation . Noble and Maersk Drilling Close Business Combination, Creating a New and Dynamic Leader in Offshore Drilling . 2023-10-20 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
  11. News: Kumar . Arunima . June 10, 2024 . Noble Corp offers $1.6 bln for rival Diamond Offshore to strengthen fleet . Reuters.
  12. News: Shell Oil ship mishap in Alaska fuels concerns . RACHEL . D'ORO . . July 17, 2012.
  13. News: Search for man missing from Noble Lloyd Noble drilling rig scaled back . . May 10, 2017.