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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): DECEMBER 9, 2002
NOBLE CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
CAYMAN ISLANDS 0-13857 98-0366361
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission file number) (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) 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 December 9, 2002.
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 December 9, 2002 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
December 9, 2002 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) 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: December 9, 2002 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 December 9, 2002.
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