Noble 8K Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2008 Earnings of $1.40 per Share On Operating Revenues of $813 Million | SEC 24 Jul 08

Exhibit 99.1

Noble Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2008 Earnings of $1.40 per Share
On Operating Revenues of $813 Million

SUGAR LAND, Texas, July 23, 2008 — Noble Corporation (NYSE: NE) today reported second quarter 2008 earnings of $376 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, versus $290 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2007. Per-share earnings were up 30 percent from the second quarter of 2007 and down 2 percent from the $1.43 per diluted share reported for the first quarter of 2008.

Contract drilling services revenues for the second quarter of 2008 were $783 million, up 19 percent from the second quarter 2007. Contract drilling margin for the second quarter 2008 was approximately 67 percent, generating $443 million in net cash provided by operating activities. The Company invested approximately $291 million in capital projects during the second quarter 2008. The results for the second quarter of 2008 include an after-tax gain on the sale of our North Sea labor contract drilling services business of $0.11 per diluted share and after-tax charges of $0.01 per diluted share related to the ongoing independent investigation of the Company’s Nigerian operations.

“We are in the midst of another strong year, with great momentum as we head into the second half of 2008,” said Noble Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer David W. Williams. “We continue to see healthy demand for all classes of units in all markets. We are particularly pleased with the continued strength of the international jackup business. As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, we anticipate taking delivery of theNoble Hans Deulin September 2008 and seeing that unit enter service in the North Sea, increasing our jackup fleet in that market to eight units.”

Debt as a percentage of total capitalization declined to 13.1 percent at June 30, 2008, from approximately 13.6 percent at March 31, 2008.

Earnings for the first six months of 2008 totaled $2.83 per diluted share compared with $2.01 in the same period last year. Earnings for 2008 include the gain on the sale of the North Sea labor contract drilling business, while earnings for 2007 included charges of $8 million related to the sale of non-core business assets. Contract drilling services revenues were $1.6 billion and earnings were $760 million in the first half of 2008, up 28 percent and 41 percent, respectively, from the year-earlier period.

Second Quarter Highlights

As of June 30, 2008, approximately 89 percent of the Company’s total rig operating days were committed for the remainder of 2008 and approximately 68 percent were committed for 2009, reflecting the continued strong demand for the Company’s services. In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Marathon exercised its right to extend the contract on the newbuild semisubmersibleNoble Jim Day from two to four years at the dayrate of $515,000. During the quarter, theNoble Jim Thompson,a deepwater semisubmersible, received a two-year contract with Shell at a dayrate of $505,000 commencing in 2009. The Company also secured a contract for theNoble Lorris Bouzigardfor a two-year term with LLOG at a dayrate of $270,000 which began in June 2008 and an extension for an additional year at a dayrate of $335,000 beginning in mid-2010.

Two of the Company’s deepwater semisubmersibles were upgraded during the quarter with both projects completed ahead of schedule. With the conclusion of the work on theNoble Amos Runner, the Company completed its planned NC-5^SM hurricane mooring system upgrades and the rig commenced its new contract with Anadarko at a dayrate of $435,000 in late April. Also, upgrades, maintenance and contract preparations on the semisubmersibleNoble Max Smithwere completed and that unit has been mobilized from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to Mexico. TheNoble Max Smithwill commence its three-year contract at a dayrate of $484,000 in August. This unit will enable PEMEX to drill in waters of up to 7,000 feet for the first time giving access to many previously unreachable prospects.

In other international deepwater markets, theNoble Homer Ferrington’sthree-year contract at a dayrate of approximately $505,000 will commence in April 2009 for ExxonMobil. In the North Sea, theNoble Ton van Langeveldsecured a one-year contract extension beginning in mid-2009 at a dayrate of $380,000, with an additional six month option at the same price.

The Company’s international jackup units also experienced notable contract activity in many markets during the quarter. In the Middle East, theNoble David Tinsleysecured a contract extension beginning in December 2008 and ending March 2009 at a dayrate of $160,000 and theNoble Kenneth Delaneyreceived a contract extension for a minimum of 120 days beginning in mid-2009 at a dayrate of approximately $162,000. TheNoble Gene Housereceived commitments for approximately 16 months beginning late-2008 at dayrates ranging from $150,000 to approximately $162,000.

In the North Sea, Maersk exercised its one-year option right at a dayrate of $210,000 on theNoble Byron Welliver. TheNoble Piet van Edeentered into a six month contract extension beginning January 2009 at a dayrate of $215,000, with the option to convert the extension to one year at a dayrate of $212,000. Both theNoble Ronald Hoopeand theNoble George Sauvageausecured one-year contracts beginning in January 2009 at dayrates of $212,000 and $220,000, respectively. In West Africa, theNoble Percy Johnssecured a one-year contract beginning in March 2009 at a dayrate of $183,000. Also in that market, theNoble Ed Noblesecured a 10 month contract beginning September 2008 at a dayrate of $173,000 and theNoble Tommy Craigheadreceived a letter of intent for one year beginning in January 2009 at a strong market dayrate.

In Mexico, the Company announced today that its customer PEMEX has awarded a 1,217- day tender for theNoble Tom Jobeat a dayrate for the first six months of $155,000 and adjustable quarterly thereafter to an index of U.S. and international like kind jackup rates.

Business Outlook

“Looking ahead, our industry faces a number of challenges. Raw materials costs, such as the price of steel, continue to climb. Added to this are increases in labor costs and the fluctuation in foreign exchange,” said Williams. “That said the unprecedented strength of Noble’s current global markets for both our deepwater fleet and our jackups is likely to create strong opportunities for our sustained growth. During the second half of 2008, we expect to continue leveraging our key strengths, such as safety and operational excellence, driving revenue growth and helping maintain our margins.”

Noble Corporation is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company performs contract drilling services with its fleet of 62 mobile offshore drilling units located in key markets worldwide, including the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, Mexico, the North Sea, Brazil, West Africa and India. The fleet count includes five rigs under construction. Additional information on Noble Corporation is available via the worldwide web at http://www.noblecorp.com.

-end-

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” about the business, financial performance and prospects of the Company. Statements about the Company’s or management’s plans, intentions, expectations, beliefs, estimates, predictions, or similar expressions for the future are forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that the outcomes of these forward-looking statements will be realized, and actual results could differ materially from those expressed as a result of various factors. A discussion of these factors, including risks and uncertainties, is set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conference Call

Noble will hold its second quarter conference call on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., Central Time. The call may be accessed live via telephone at (866) 461-7129 (706-679-3084 for international callers), using pass code 52518031. The call also will be available over the Internet through the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s Web site, using the “Web cast” link. A replay of the conference call will be available on Thursday, July 24, 2008, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Central Time, through Thursday, July 31, 2008, ending at 5:00 p.m., Central Time. The phone number for the conference call replay is 800-642-1687 (706-645-9291 for international callers), using the conference ID number 52518031. The conference call may include non-GAAP financial measures. Noble will post a reconciliation of any such measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s Web site under the heading “Reg G Reconciliations.”

NC-452

07/23/2008

For additional information, contact:


For Investors:		Lee M. Ahlstrom, Vice President — Investor Relations and Planning, Noble Drilling Services Inc., 281-276-6440

For Media:		John S. Breed, Director of Corporate Communications, Noble Drilling Services Inc., 281-276-6729

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2008			2007			2008			2007
OPERATING REVENUES
Contract drilling services	$	783,280		$	657,504		$	1,581,114		$	1,234,419
Reimbursables		20,964			28,608			53,422			59,751
Labor contract drilling services		8,218			39,165			39,149			75,720
Engineering, consulting and other		479			722			681			2,533

		812,941			725,999			1,674,366			1,372,423


OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Contract drilling services		256,436			212,050			492,388			408,892
Reimbursables		17,831			24,608			47,292			52,154
Labor contract drilling services		6,547			32,454			31,884			60,857
Engineering, consulting and other		—			7,255			—			11,296
Depreciation and amortization		87,836			68,323			170,735			132,388
Selling, general and administrative		19,667			20,302			40,940			34,528
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(35,521	)		—			(35,521	)		—

		352,796			364,992			747,718			700,115


OPERATING INCOME		460,145			361,007			926,648			672,308

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized		(721	)		(1,231	)		(1,831	)		(2,735	)
Interest income and other, net		1,580			512			4,709			1,670


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		461,004			360,288			929,526			671,243
INCOME TAX PROVISION		(85,286	)		(70,257	)		(169,620	)		(130,892	)


NET INCOME	$	375,718		$	290,031		$	759,906		$	540,351


NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic	$	1.41		$	1.09		$	2.85		$	2.03
Diluted	$	1.40		$	1.08		$	2.83		$	2.01

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic		266,464			265,927			266,458			266,521
Diluted		269,194			268,740			268,886			269,167

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


	June 30,			December 31,
	2008			2007
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	320,964		$	161,058
Accounts receivable		560,923			613,115
Insurance receivables		—			39,066
Prepaid expenses		51,529			20,721
Other current assets		36,499			26,231

Total current assets		969,915			860,191


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Drilling equipment and facilities		6,794,897			6,354,782
Other		97,515			80,169

		6,892,412			6,434,951
Accumulated depreciation		(1,753,263	)		(1,639,035	)

		5,139,149			4,795,916


OTHER ASSETS		243,256			219,899

	$	6,352,320		$	5,876,006


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	27,958		$	10,334
Accounts payable		172,805			198,395
Accrued payroll and related costs		97,623			115,914
Taxes payable		102,814			85,641
Interest payable		9,465			9,951
Other current liabilities		53,551			72,537

Total current liabilities		464,216			492,772

LONG-TERM DEBT		701,507			774,182
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		254,521			240,621
OTHER LIABILITIES		94,237			65,705

		1,514,481			1,573,280


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

MINORITY INTEREST		(5,313	)		(5,596	)


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Ordinary shares-par value $0.10 per share; 400,000 shares authorized; 269,157 shares issued and outstanding in 2008; 268,223 shares issued and outstanding in 2007		26,916			26,822
Capital in excess of par value		686,641			683,697
Retained earnings		4,139,866			3,602,870
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,271	)		(5,067	)

		4,843,152			4,308,322

	$	6,352,320		$	5,876,006

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2008			2007
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	759,906		$	540,351
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		170,735			132,388
Impairment loss on assets		—			5,400
Deferred income tax provision		13,900			6,324
Share-based compensation expense		18,471			16,903
Pension contribution		(17,445	)		(16,705	)
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(35,521	)		—
Other		7,761			9,426
Other changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		52,192			(88,627	)
Hurricane insurance recoveries		17,319			—
Other current assets		(42,632	)		14,325
Accounts payable		(7,994	)		(20,960	)
Other current liabilities		(1,179	)		33,243

Net cash provided by operating activities		935,513			632,068


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
New construction		(310,770	)		(323,338	)
Other capital expenditures		(161,546	)		(216,452	)
Major maintenance expenditures		(52,577	)		(39,370	)
Accrued capital expenditures		(17,596	)		22,173
Hurricane insurance recoveries		21,747			—
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		39,134			3,284

Net cash used for investing activities		(481,608	)		(553,703	)


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings on bank credit facilities		—			220,000
Payments on bank credit facilities		(50,000	)		(85,000	)
Payments of other long-term debt		(5,076	)		(4,730	)
Net proceeds from employee stock transactions		10,558			13,560
Dividends paid		(222,910	)		(10,788	)
Repurchases of ordinary shares		(26,571	)		(120,687	)

Net cash used for financing activities		(293,999	)		12,355


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		159,906			90,720

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD		161,058			61,710


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$	320,964		$	152,430

NOBLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION BY SEGMENT
(In thousands, except utilization amounts, operating days and average dayrates)
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30,																	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2008									2007								2008
	Contract									Contract								Contract
	Drilling									Drilling								Drilling
	Services			Other			Total			Services			Other			Total		Services			Other		Total
OPERATING REVENUES
Contract drilling services	$	783,280		$	—		$	783,280		$	657,504		$	—		$	657,504	$	797,834		$	—	$	797,834
Reimbursables		19,646			1,318			20,964			19,856			8,752			28,608		21,166			11,292		32,458
Labor contract drilling services		—			8,218			8,218			—			39,165			39,165		—			30,931		30,931
Engineering, consulting and other		464			15			479			376			346			722		187			15		202

	$	803,390		$	9,551		$	812,941		$	677,736		$	48,263		$	725,999	$	819,187		$	42,238	$	861,425


OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Contract drilling services	$	256,436		$	—		$	256,436		$	212,050		$	—		$	212,050	$	235,952		$	—	$	235,952
Reimbursables		16,565			1,266			17,831			16,706			7,902			24,608		18,753			10,708		29,461
Labor contract drilling services		—			6,547			6,547			—			32,454			32,454		—			25,337		25,337
Engineering, consulting and other		—			—			—			15			7,240			7,255		—			—		—
Depreciation and amortization		86,636			1,200			87,836			66,108			2,215			68,323		80,785			2,114		82,899
Selling, general and administrative		19,526			141			19,667			19,743			559			20,302		19,896			1,377		21,273
Gain on disposal of assets, net		—			(35,521	)		(35,521	)		—			—					—			—		—

	$	379,163		$	(26,367	)	$	352,796		$	314,622		$	50,370		$	364,992	$	355,386		$	39,536	$	394,922


OPERATING INCOME	$	424,227		$	35,918		$	460,145		$	363,114		$	(2,107	)	$	361,007	$	463,801		$	2,702	$	466,503


OPERATING STATISTICS
Jackups:
Average Rig Utilization		93	%								98	%							97	%
Operating Days		3,481									3,553								3,601
Average Dayrate	$	147,081								$	112,804							$	145,337

Semisubmersibles — (6,000 feet or greater):
Average Rig Utilization		90	%								100	%							100	%
Operating Days		572									555								637
Average Dayrate	$	323,830								$	285,758							$	291,924

Semisubmersibles — (less than 6,000 feet):
Average Rig Utilization		100	%								87	%							100	%
Operating Days		273									239								273
Average Dayrate	$	192,416								$	169,283							$	201,699

Drillships:
Average Rig Utilization		67	%								100	%							67	%
Operating Days		182									273								182
Average Dayrate	$	131,174								$	128,874							$	133,665

Submersibles:
Average Rig Utilization		67	%								100	%							66	%
Operating Days		182									273								179
Average Dayrate	$	53,039								$	82,137							$	51,274

Total:
Average Rig Utilization		90	%								98	%							94	%
Operating Days		4,690									4,893								4,872
Average Dayrate	$	167,002								$	134,364							$	163,772

Noble 8-KNoble Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2008 Earnings of $1.40 per Share On Operating Revenues of $813 Million