Noble 8K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers | NE 16 Mar 20

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between Stephen M. Butz (“Executive”), Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company formed under the laws of England and Wales (“Parent”), and Noble Drilling Services Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” and, together with Parent, the “Employer Parties”), is entered into on March 11, 2020. Executive, Parent, and the Company are sometimes collectively referred to as the “Parties.”

WHEREAS, Executive is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Parent and an employee of the Company (an affiliate of Parent) and is an officer of certain of their affiliates (the “Current Position”);

WHEREAS, Executive, Parent and the Company mutually desire to establish and agree on the terms and conditions of Executive’s resignation from Parent, the Company and their affiliates; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to have no further obligations to each other, except as specifically provided herein or as may be required by law.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, covenants and undertakings set forth herein, and in full compromise, release and settlement, accord and satisfaction and discharge of all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, the Parties agree as follows:

1.Resignation. Executive hereby resigns as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Parent and as an employee of the Company, and from all positions as an officer or director (or similar position) with any affiliate of Parent, effective as of the earlier of (i) April 15, 2020 and (ii) the date on which a successor Chief Financial Officer of Parent begins serving in such capacity (the “Resignation Date”). Executive agrees to take any and all further acts necessary or requested by the Employer Parties to effectuate his resignation of such positions and such termination of employment, it being understood that for all periods prior to the Resignation Date, Executive shall continue to perform the Current Position.

2.Compensation; Benefits and Related Matters.

(a)Initial Release. On March 31, 2020 (and as further described in Sections 2(b) and (c) below), Executive shall promptly repay an amount in cash to the Company (the “Return Payment”) totaling $650,000 in a lump sum via wire transfer, it being understood that contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Parties hereto, Executive shall deliver the executed release of claims (the “Initial Release”), attached asExhibit A.

(b)Age-Release Payment; Final Release. With this Agreement, the Employer Parties offer Executive a second agreement that includes a release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act for additional consideration (the “Final Release”), attached asExhibit B. As described in the Final Release, it is understood that Executive shall have had at leasttwenty-one (21) days to consider the Final Release. In the event Executive revokes, or does not timely deliver, the Final Release, the Return Payment shall be increased by $50,000, which $50,000 amount shall be repaid by Executive to the Company in a lump sum via wire transfer on April 10, 2020.

(c)Clawback Matters. In connection with Executive’s repayment of the Return Payment pursuant to Sections 2(a) and (b) above, Executive shall have no additional affirmative repayment obligation under that certain Signing Bonus Agreement between Executive and the Company dated December 19, 2019 (the “Sign-On Agreement”), it being understood that (i) Executive shall not be obligated to repay specified amounts in excess of the Return Payment, (ii)

the Employer Parties shall remain entitled to offset amounts against such remaining repayment obligation pursuant to Section 3 of theSign-On Agreement, as modified herein (the “Repayment Obligation”), and (iii) Executive acknowledges and agrees that (x) nothing in this Agreement shall affect Executive’s consent to any such offsets by the Employer Parties against the Repayment Obligation, and (y) any final payment of wages, accrued vacation pay, incentive compensation payments, bonuses and commissions (or similar amounts) may be delayed for such purposes until the completion of the Company’s first full payroll period occurring immediately after the Resignation Date, and, if necessary, applied as an offset against the Repayment Obligation as of such date (collectively, the “Continuing SOA Requirements”).

(d)No Additional Benefits. Executive acknowledges that Executive is not entitled to, and will not receive, any other compensation or benefits from the Company or its affiliates upon his termination of employment on the Resignation Date, except, as applicable, the consideration in return for Executive’s execution of this Agreement and the Final Release (as defined below) (which consideration in respect of the Final Release is specifically for a release of claims under (among other things) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act) or as otherwise specifically described in this Agreement and the Final Release. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive retains all rights to any accrued and unpaid salary, vacation pay or other reasonable expense reimbursement claims (pursuant to the Company’s reimbursement policies) as of the Resignation Date.

3.Covenants of Executive. Executive recognizes that the Employer Parties’ willingness to enter into this Agreement is based in material part on Executive’s agreement to the provisions of this Section 3, and that Executive’s breach of such provisions could materially damage Parent and its affiliates.

(a)Confidential Information. Parent’s and its affiliates’ trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information (“Confidential Information”) are valuable, special and unique assets of Parent’s and/or its affiliates’ business, and are the exclusive property of Parent or such affiliates. Executive shall hold in strict confidence and shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose or reveal to any person, or use for Executive’s own personal benefit or for the benefit of anyone else, Confidential Information except (i) with Parent’s prior written consent, (ii) as required by applicable law or legal process, or (iii) to the extent such information has become publicly available. Pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive is advised that an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (x) is made (A) in confidence to a United States federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (y) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

(b)Cooperation. Commencing as of the date of this Agreement and continuing until one (1) year following the Resignation Date (the “Cooperation Period”), Executive shall make himself reasonably available to Parent or its affiliates (including their attorneys) to provide information and assistance as reasonably requested by Parent or its affiliates (it being understood that any such request shall take into consideration Executive’s other personal and professional commitments). Such information and assistance may include testifying (and preparing to testify) as a witness in any proceeding or otherwise providing information or reasonable assistance to Parent or its affiliates in connection with any investigation, claim or suit that relates to matters within the knowledge or responsibility of Executive during his employment (such matters being referred to herein as the “Subject Matters”). Specifically, Executive agrees, during the Cooperation Period (i) to meet with Parent’s or its affiliates’ representatives, their counsel or other designees at reasonable times and places with respect to any matter within the scope of the Subject Matters; (ii) to provide truthful testimony regarding the Subject Matters; (iii) to provide Parent or any of its affiliates with immediate notice of subpoena by anynon-governmental adverse party (known to

Executive to be adverse to Parent or any of its affiliates or their interests) relating to the Subject Matters; and (iv) to not voluntarily assist any suchnon-governmental adverse party or suchnon-governmental adverse party’s representatives in connection with any claim relating to the Subject Matters. The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for all reasonable, necessary and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by Executive in complying with his obligations under this Section 3(b);provided,however, that any individual expense over $2,000 shall bepre-approved, in writing, by the Company.

(c)Non-Solicitation; No Hire. During the Cooperation Period, Executive shall not, and shall not encourage, approve or assist any company, legal entity or other person, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, hire, employ or engage (whether as an employee, officer, agent, consultant or independent contractor) any person who is or was at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the Resignation Date, any rig manager or higher level employee, any officer or any director of Parent or any of its affiliates. However, there shall be no such restrictions regarding any employee laid off or terminated by Company. A general employment advertisement by an entity of which Executive is a part will not constitute solicitation or recruitment.

(d)Return of Company Property and Information. No later than ten (10) days following the Resignation Date, Executive shall promptly deliver to Parent all records, files, memoranda, correspondence, notebooks, notes, reports, customer lists, drawings, plans, documents, and other documents and the like containing any privileged or Confidential Information relating to Parent and its affiliates or that belong to Parent or any of its affiliates and that Executive used, prepared or came into contact with during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company and its affiliates currently in his possession or control, and all keys, credit cards and passes, and such materials shall remain the sole property of Parent and/or its affiliates, as applicable. Executive further agrees to reasonably search for and then, after providing Parent with a copy, delete all of Parent’s and its affiliates business information, whether or not privileged or Confidential Information, from all of Executive’s personal devices, including phones, tablets, computers, and electronic storage devices, other than information that Executive may need for personal finances and tax filings, records regarding personal (or family) benefits under any employee benefit, fringe benefit or payroll plan, program or policy of Parent or any of its affiliates, or agreements between Executive and Parent or any of its affiliates.

(e)Remedies. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the terms of this Section 3 are reasonable in scope and are necessary to protect legitimate proprietary and business interests of Parent and its affiliates in their Confidential Information. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (i) Executive’s breach of the provisions of this Section 3 could cause Parent and its affiliates irreparable harm, which may not be adequately compensated by money damages, and (ii) if Parent elects to prevent Executive from breaching such provisions by obtaining an injunction against Executive, there is a reasonable probability of Parent’s eventual success on the merits. Executive consents and agrees that if Executive commits any such breach or threatens to commit any breach, Parent shall be entitled to seek temporary and permanent injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to, and not in lieu of, such other remedies as may be available to Parent for such breach, including the recovery of money damages.

4.Protected Rights. Executive acknowledges that nothing contained in this Agreement, limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with a federal, state or local governmental agency or commission. Executive further acknowledges that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any government agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any government agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to Parent. While Executive may file a charge or complaint with any federal, state or local

governmental agency or commission, should Executive file such a charge or complaint, or should any governmental entity, agency or commission file a charge, action, complaint or lawsuit against any of the Employer Parties or their affiliates, Executive agrees not to seek or accept any resulting payment therefrom. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any government agencies.

5.Dispute Resolution.

(a) If any controversy, dispute or claim arises that is based upon, resulting from or relating to this Agreement or Executive’s employment the Company and its affiliates (“Dispute”), the Parties agree that if resolution is not reached by discussion and negotiation within ten (10) business days of the inception and notice to the other Party of the Dispute, to attempt to resolve such Dispute by mediation with a mediator jointly selected by the Parties. The Parties agree to schedule and conduct the mediation within thirty (30) days of the Dispute. If a Party fails to follow these requirements and initiates any proceeding before going through a mediation process in accordance with this paragraph, such Party shall be required to bear all of the other Party’s reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in investigating and responding to such proceeding for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the other Party received written notice of the commencement of such proceeding. Nothing contained in this Section 5 shall prevent the Parties from initiating a proceeding in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas or, if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the state district courts of the State of Texas in Harris County, Texas in order to seek or obtain specific performance or other injunctive relief relating to the covenants contained in Section 3 of this Agreement.

(b) Any Dispute between the Parties shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration pursuant to the rules of the then-prevailing Employment Arbitration Rules of AAA (the “Rules”) and the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.§§1-16 (the “Act”), with arbitration to occur at Houston, Texas. This paragraph will control over any conflict between this paragraph and the Act or the Rules. The Parties agree that the arbitrator will have the primary power to decide any question about the arbitrability of any claim, dispute or other difference between them, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be enforced by any court having jurisdiction thereof in Houston, Texas. The arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Parties, if possible. If the Parties fail to reach agreement upon appointment of an arbitrator within thirty (30) days following receipt by one Party of the other Party’s notice of desire to arbitrate, the arbitrator shall be selected from a list or lists of persons submitted by AAA. The arbitrator must be an attorney licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas. The Parties agree that all matters subject to the arbitration, including the arbitration itself, shall remain confidential.

6.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, interpreted and enforced for all purposes by, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

7.Entire Agreement; Amendment. Except as specifically set forth herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties hereto and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements, representations and warranties between them respecting the subject matter hereof, it being understood that the Continuing SOA Requirements under theSign-On Agreement shall remain in effect. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by Executive and by one duly authorized representative of each of the Employer Parties.

8.Tax Withholding. The Employer Parties may withhold and deduct from any benefits and payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling and (b) all other normal deductions made with respect to the Company’s employees generally or as authorized by Executive.

9.Assignability. None of the Parties shall have any right to pledge, hypothecate, anticipate, or in any way create a lien upon any consideration hereunder, and no such consideration shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or involuntary acts or by operation of law.

10.Severability. It is the desire of the Parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and should any provision contained herein be held as illegal, invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the Parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by law;provided,however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted herefrom without affecting any other provision of this Agreement, and there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable. This Agreement should be construed by limiting and reducing it only to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable under then applicable law.

11.Construction. The headings and captions of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and are intended to have no effect in construing or interpreting this Agreement. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed according to its fair meaning and not strictly for or against the Employer Parties or Executive.

12.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which together will constitute one document.

13.Nonwaiver. No failure or neglect of any Party in any instance to exercise any right, power, or privilege hereunder or under law shall constitute a waiver of any other right, power, or privilege or of the same right, power, or privilege in any other instance. All waivers by a Party must be contained in a written instrument signed by the Party to be charged and, in the case of Parent or the Company, by an officer of Parent or the Company, as the case may be (other than Executive), or other duly authorized person.

14.Notices. Any notice, request, consent or approval required or permitted to be given under this Agreement or pursuant to law shall be sufficient if in writing, and if and when sent by certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, to Executive’s address most recently on file with the Company, or to the Company’s principal office, as the case may be.

15.Section 409A; Other Tax Matters. This Agreement is intended to provide payments that are exempt from and/or that comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements (“Section 409A”), and the Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly (it being understood that the payment of any reimbursement hereunder shall be made in a manner exempt from, or in compliance with, Section 409A pursuant to the Company’s reimbursement policies). If any provision of this Agreement would cause Executive to incur any additional tax under Section 409A, the Agreement shall be deemed amended to reform and/or the Parties will in good faith attempt to reform the provision in a manner that maintains, to the extent possible, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if on the date of Executive’s separation from service Executive is a “specified employee,” as defined in Section 409A, then any portion of any payments, benefits or other consideration under this Agreement that are determined to be subject to the additional tax provided by Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code if not delayed as required by Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code shall be delayed until the first (1^st) business day of the seventh (7^th) month following Executive’s separation from service date (or, if earlier, Executive’s date of death) and shall be paid as a lump sum on such date. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive has obtained no advice from Parent or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, attorneys or other representatives, and that none of such persons or entities have made any representation regarding the tax consequences, if any, of Executive’s receipt of the payments, benefits and other consideration

provided for in this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive is personally responsible for the payment of all federal, state and local taxes that are due, or may be due, for any payments and other consideration received by Executive under this Agreement. Executive agrees to indemnify the Employer Parties and hold the Employer Parties harmless for any and all taxes, penalties or other assessments that Executive is, or may become, obligated to pay on account of any payments made and other consideration provided to Executive under this Agreement.

16.Certain Acknowledgements of Executive. Executive represents that Executive has relied on Executive’s own knowledge and judgment and on the advice of independent legal counsel of Executive’s choosing and has consulted with such other independent advisors as Executive and Executive’s counsel deemed appropriate in connection with Executive’s review of this Agreement. Based on Executive’s review, Executive acknowledges that Executive fully and completely understands and accepts all the terms of this Agreement and their legal effects, and Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and of Executive’s own free will, with full consideration of any and all rights which Executive may currently have, and that he has the full legal right, power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that Executive is not relying on any representations or statements made by Parent or any of its affiliates, or by any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, attorneys or other representatives, regarding this Agreement. Executive also acknowledges that Executive is not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of Parent or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, attorneys or other representatives, to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Agreement or its preparation, it being expressly understood that Executive shall never assert any failure to disclose information on the part of any such person or entity as a ground for challenging this Agreement or any provision hereof.

17.Successors and Heirs. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Employer Parties’ successors and to Executive’s heirs and devisees.

[Execution Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.


NOBLE CORPORATION plc

By:		/s/ William E. Turcotte
		William E. Turcotte
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

NOBLE DRILLING SERVICES INC.

By:		/s/ William E. Turcotte
		William E. Turcotte
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Stephen M. Butz
Stephen M. Butz

[Execution Page to Separation Agreement]

EXHIBIT A/B

INITIAL/FINAL

RELEASE

RELEASE OF CLAIMS

This RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “Release”) is made on and effective as of March 11, 2020 (the “Determination Date”) by Stephen M. Butz (“Executive”) in favor of Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company formed under the laws of England and Wales (“Parent”), and Noble Drilling Services Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” and, together with Parent, the “Employer Parties”), and the other Releasees (as defined herein) in connection with the Separation Agreement entered into by and between Executive, Parent, and the Company dated March 11, 2020 (the “Separation Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this Release that are defined in the Separation Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Separation Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Employer Parties wish to obtain a final release of all claims as of the Determination Date by Executive, and

WHEREAS, Executive is willing to execute and deliver this Release to the Employer Parties, as specifically provided herein.

1.Consideration. Following Executive’s execution and return of this Release, provided this Release is not timely revoked by Executive, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in Sections 2[(a) / (b)] and 2(c) of the Separation Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive is not entitled to, and will not receive, any other compensation or benefits from the Company expect as specified herein.

2.Waiver and Release of Claims.

(a)General Release by Executive. In consideration of the foregoing, including the payment described in Section 1 above, which Executive hereby expressly acknowledges as good and sufficient consideration for the releases provided below, Executive hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases, acquits and forever discharges, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (i) Parent and all of its predecessors, successors and assigns, (ii) all of Parent’s past, present and future affiliates, parent corporations, subsidiaries, divisions and joint venture entities and all of their respective predecessors, successors and assigns, and (iii) all of the past, present and future officers, directors, managers, shareholders, investors, employee benefit plan administrators, employees, agents, attorneys and other representatives of each of the entities described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii), individually and in their respective representative capacities (the persons or entities referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being, individually, a “Releasee” and, collectively, the “Releasees”), from any and every action, cause of action, complaint, claim, demand, administrative charge, legal right, compensation, obligation, damages (including consequential, exemplary and punitive damages), liability, cost or expense (including attorney’s fees) that Executive has, may have or may be entitled to from or against any of the Releasees, whether legal, equitable or administrative, in any forum or jurisdiction, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, which arises directly or indirectly out of, or is based on or related in any way to Executive’s employment with or termination of employment from the Company or any of its affiliates, including any such matter arising in respect of that certain Employment Agreement by and among Executive and the Employer Parties dated December 19, 2019, or theSign-On Agreement (such that those agreements shall be of no further force or effect, and are null and void,

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it being understood that the Continuing SOA Requirements under theSign-On Agreement shall remain in effect), or from the negligence, gross negligence or reckless, willful or wanton misconduct of any of the Releasees (together, the “Released Claims”);provided,however, that this Release does not apply to, and the Released Claims do not include: (x) any claim arising from any breach or failure to perform any provision of the Separation Agreement or this Release; [or] (y) any claim for worker’s compensation benefits or any other claim that cannot be waived by a general release[; or (z) any claims arising solely and specifically under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967].

(b)Release to beFull and Complete; Waiver of Claims, Rights and Benefits. The Parties intend this Release to cover any and all Released Claims, whether they are contract claims, equitable claims, fraud claims, tort claims, discrimination claims, harassment claims, whistleblower or retaliation claims, personal injury claims, constructive or wrongful discharge claims, emotional distress claims, pain and suffering claims, public policy claims, claims for debts, claims for expense reimbursement, wage claims, claims with respect to any other form of compensation, claims for attorneys’ fees, other claims or any combination of the foregoing, and whether they may arise under any employment contract (express or implied), policies, procedures, practices or by any acts or omissions of any of the Releasees or whether they may arise under any state, local or federal law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, including all Texas employment discrimination laws, Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code, the Texas Payday Act, all U.S. federal discrimination laws, [including][other than] the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Equal Pay Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or common law, without exception. As such, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that this Release is a general release, representing a full and complete disposition and satisfaction of all of any Releasee’s real or alleged legal obligations to Executive, with the only exceptions being as expressly stated in the proviso to Section 2(a) above. Executive understands and agrees, in compliance with any law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation which requires a specific release of unknown claims or benefits, that this Release includes a release of unknown claims, and Executive hereby expressly waives and relinquishes any and all Released Claims and any associated rights or benefits that Executive may have, including any that are unknown to Executive at the time of the execution this Release.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein waives any claims that Executive may have: (i) to vested benefits pursuant to any plan governed by ERISA; (ii) to any insurance protections or benefits or indemnification rights; or (iii) to any claims first arising, and under circumstances first occurring, after the time that Executive signs this Release.

(d)Certain Representations and Acknowledgements of Executive. Executive represents and warrants that: (i) Executive is the sole and lawful owner of all rights, titles and interests in and to all Released Claims; and (ii) Executive has the fully legal right, power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Release. Executive acknowledges that Executive [has been given a reasonable period of time oftwenty-one (21) days, in which to consider this Release and] has been advised to discuss the terms of this Release with legal counsel of Executive’s own choosing. Executive represents that Executive has relied on Executive’s own knowledge and judgment and on the advice of independent legal counsel of Executive’s choosing and has consulted with such other independent advisors as Executive and Executive’s counsel deemed appropriate in connection with Executive’s review of this Release. Based on Executive’s review, Executive acknowledges that Executive fully and completely understands and accepts all the terms of this

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Release and their legal effects, and Executive is entering into this Release voluntarily and of Executive’s own free will, with full consideration of any and all rights which Executive may currently have. Executive further acknowledges that Executive is not relying on any representations or statements made by Parent or any of its affiliates, or by any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, attorneys or other representatives, regarding this Release, except to the extent such representations are expressly set forth in this Release. Executive also acknowledges that Executive is not relying upon a legal duty, if one exists, on the part of Parent or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, attorneys or other representatives, to disclose any information in connection with the execution of this Release or its preparation, it being expressly understood that Executive shall never assert any failure to disclose information on the part of any such person or entity as a ground for challenging this Release or any provision hereof.

(e)Covenant Not to Sue. Executive expressly agrees that neither Executive nor any person acting on Executive’s behalf will file or bring or permit to be filed or brought any lawsuit or other action before any court, agency or other governmental authority for legal or equitable relief against any of the Releasees involving any of the Released Claims. In the event that such an action is filed against any of the Releasees, Executive agrees that such Releasees are entitled to legal and equitable remedies against Executive, including an award of attorney’s fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges that nothing contained in this Release limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with a federal, state or local governmental agency or commission. Executive further acknowledges that this Release does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with any government agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any government agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to Parent. This Release does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any government agencies. While nothing in this Release limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with any federal, state or local governmental agency or commission, should Executive file a charge or complaint with any governmental agency, or should any governmental entity, agency or commission file a charge, action, complaint or lawsuit against any of the Releasees based on any Released Claim, Executive agrees not to seek or accept any resulting payment from the Releasees.

(f)MutualNon-Disparagement. Executive shall refrain from making, directly or indirectly, in any public or private communication (whether oral, written or electronic), any criticisms or negative or disparaging comments or other statements about Parent or any of the other Releasees, or about any aspect of the respective businesses, operations, financial results or prospects of Parent or any of its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that nothing in this Release is intended to prevent Executive from making any statements to his spouse or legal advisors, or testifying truthfully in any legal proceeding (including any legal proceeding between the Parties or brought by any governmental authority or other third party) or interfere with any obligation Executive may have to cooperate with or provide information to any government agency or commission. Parent and its affiliates shall refrain from, and Parent shall instruct, in writing, that its officers, directors and human resources representatives and the officers, directors and human resources representatives of its affiliates to refrain from making, directly or indirectly, in any public or private communication (whether oral, written or electronic), any criticisms or negative or disparaging comments or other statements about Executive, or about any aspect of the employment relationship between the Company and Executive, including comments relating to Executive’s resignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that nothing in this Section 2(f) is intended to: (i) prevent any officer, director or human resources representative of Parent from making any statements to other officers or directors of Parent or any legal advisor of Parent or any of its affiliates, or any officer, director or human resources

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representative of Parent or any of its affiliates from testifying truthfully in any legal proceeding (including any legal proceeding between the Parties or brought by any governmental authority or other third party); or (ii) interfere with any obligation any such officer, director or human resources representative may have to cooperate with or provide information to any government agency or commission.

(g)Parties in Interest. This Release is for the benefit of the Releasees and shall be binding on Executive and his heirs, successors and assigns.

3.Amendment[; Revocation]. This Release may not be clarified, modified, changed or amended except in writing signed by Executive and the Employer Parties. [Notwithstanding any other provision in this Release to the contrary, Executive may revoke this Release, in writing, for up to seven days following the date of Executive’s execution of this Release, by delivering a written notice of Executive’s revocation of this Release to the Company. Any such notice of revocation shall be (a) addressed to William E. Turcotte, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Parent, c/o the Company at its offices at 13135 South Dairy Ashford, Suite 800, Sugar Land, Texas 77478-3686, or via facsimile or email (facsimile:(281) 491-2092; email: wturcotte@noblecorp.com); and (b) deemed given, delivered and effective on the earliest of: (i) in the case of delivery by facsimile or email, on the date of transmission, if such notice is delivered, and confirmation of receipt is received, by Executive, prior to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on a business day, and, otherwise, on the first business day after the date of transmission (provided that Executive has received confirmation of receipt of such transmission); (ii) one business day after when sent, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service (charges prepaid); or (iii) upon actual receipt. Executive acknowledges and agrees that if Executive (x) fails to timely sign this Release prior to the close of thetwenty-one(21)-day consideration period described in Section 2(d) above or (y) timely revokes this Release, this Release will be null and void and of no effect, and the Company will not have any obligation to provide Executive with the consideration described in Section 1 above.]

4.Severability. If any provision of this Release is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, that provision shall be severable and this Release shall be construed and enforced as if that illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision never comprised a part hereof, and the remaining provisions of this Release shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, and there shall be added automatically as part of this Release a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable. This Release should be construed by limiting and reducing it only to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable under then applicable law.

5.Section Headings. Titles and headings to Sections and subsections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions of this Release.

6.Applicable Law. This Release shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any conflicts of laws provisions thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

7.Dispute Resolution. The Parties agree to submit any dispute arising out of or relating to this Release to the arbitration procedure as described in Section 5 of the Separation Agreement.

8.Successors and Heirs. This Release shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Employer Parties’ successors and to Executive’s heirs and devisees.

[Execution Page Follows]

A-4

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Release as of the Determination Date.


NOBLE CORPORATION plc

By:		Date:
	William E. Turcotte
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

NOBLE DRILLING SERVICES INC.

By:		Date:
	William E. Turcotte
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

EXECUTIVE

		Date:
Stephen M. Butz

[Execution Page to Initial/Final Release]

A-5

Noble (NE) 8-KDeparture of Directors or Certain Officers