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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): MARCH 13, 2003
NOBLE CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
CAYMAN ISLANDS 0-13857 98-0366361
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) file number) identification number)
13135 SOUTH DAIRY ASHFORD, SUITE 800
SUGAR LAND, TEXAS 77478
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (281) 276-6100
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Form 8-K
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 Noble Corporation and Subsidiaries Fleet Status Update
as of March 13, 2003.
ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Item 9 the
Noble Corporation and Subsidiaries Fleet Status Update as of March 13, 2003 of
the Registrant, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and will be published on the
Registrant's web site at http://www.noblecorp.com. The report provides certain
summary information about the operations of the drilling units of the
Registrant. The report is being furnished in accordance with Rule 101 (e) (1)
under Regulation FD and shall not be deemed to be filed.
The Noble Corporation and Subsidiaries Fleet Status Update as of March
13, 2003 contains forward-looking statements about the Registrant's business,
financial condition and prospects. The Registrant's actual results could differ
materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of
various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, changes in
United States tax laws, or the enactment of new United States tax laws, that
may result in the Registrant being subject to taxation in the United States on
its worldwide earnings, other material changes in the tax laws of the United
States or other countries in which the Registrant operates which could increase
its effective tax rate, volatility in crude oil and natural gas prices, the
discovery of significant additional oil and/or gas reserves or the construction
of significant oil and/or gas delivery or storage systems that impact regional
or worldwide energy markets, potential deterioration in the demand for the
drilling services of the Registrant and resulting declining dayrates, changes
in customers' drilling programs or budgets due to factors discussed herein or
due to their own internal corporate events, the cancellation by customers of
drilling contracts or letter agreements or letters of intent for drilling
contracts or their exercise of early termination provisions generally found in
the Registrant's drilling contracts, intense competition in the drilling
industry, changes in oil and gas drilling technology or in competitors'
drilling rig fleets that could make the Registrant's drilling rigs less
competitive or require major capital investment to keep them competitive,
political and economic conditions in the United States and in international
markets where the Registrant operates, acts of war or terrorism and the
aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States,
cost overruns or delays on shipyard repair, maintenance, conversion or upgrade
projects, adverse weather (such as hurricanes or monsoons) and seas,
operational risks (such as blowouts and fires), limitations on the Registrant's
insurance coverage, and requirements and potential liability imposed by
governmental regulation of the drilling industry (including environmental
regulation). All of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are beyond the
Registrant's ability to control, and in many cases, the Registrant cannot
predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to
differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. When
used in the report, the words "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "plans" and
similar expressions as they relate to the Registrant or its management are
intended to identify forward-looking statements.
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Form 8-K
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.
NOBLE CORPORATION
Date: March 13, 2003 By: /s/ ROBERT D. CAMPBELL
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Robert D. Campbell,
President
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Form 8-K
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
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Exhibit 99.1 Noble Corporation and Subsidiaries Fleet Status Update
as of March 13, 2003.
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