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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): MAY 22, 2003
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 identification number)
incorporation or organization)
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 May 22, 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 May 22, 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 May
22, 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 (and increased deductible amounts under) 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: May 22, 2003 By: /s/ MARK A. JACKSON
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Mark A. Jackson,
Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Controller and Assistant Secretary
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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 May 22, 2003.
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