EXHIBIT 99.1



(NOBLE ENERGY LOGO)                       PRESS RELEASE

100 GLENBOROUGH DRIVE
SUITE 100                                 CONTACT: Greg Panagos: 281-872-3125
HOUSTON, TX 77067                         Investor_Relations@nobleenergyinc.com


            NOBLE ENERGY, INC. PROVIDES UPDATE ON ASSET DISPOSITIONS

HOUSTON (December 17, 2003) -- Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL) today provided an
update on its 2003 asset disposition program. As previously reported, the
company identified five property packages for disposition. Bids have now been
received on all five packages. Year-to-date, property sales have closed on four
of the five packages, with the remaining property package expected to close
during the first quarter of 2004. Total pretax proceeds on all five packages,
before closing adjustments, are expected to be in excess of $110 million.

During the third quarter, closed property sales resulted in a pretax gain of
$9.9 million. Also during the third quarter, certain properties in two packages
were classified as held for sale, written down by $18.3 million to fair value,
pretax, and reported in discontinued operations.

Subsequent to September 30, 2003, the remaining asset package met the criteria
to be classified as held for sale. During the fourth quarter, Noble Energy has
closed sales on properties located in California, Oklahoma and Wyoming. A
package of Gulf of Mexico properties is expected to close during the first
quarter 2004. The transfer of the remaining property package to discontinued
operations and the timing of completed sales will result in a non-cash, pretax
write-down to fair value and realized loss of approximately $40 million ($26
million after tax). The total non-cash charge will appear in discontinued
operations for the fourth quarter.

Noble Energy also announced today that it plans to write off its current
investment in Vietnam during the fourth quarter, resulting in an after-tax
charge of $5 million, including a pretax dry hole charge of approximately $20
million offset by a $15 million tax benefit for writing off the stock in the
company's wholly-owned Vietnam subsidiary.

Noble Energy is one of the nation's leading independent energy companies and
operates throughout major basins in the United States including the Gulf of
Mexico, as well as internationally, in Argentina, China, Ecuador, Equatorial
Guinea, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea. Noble Energy markets natural
gas and crude oil through its subsidiary, Noble Energy Marketing, Inc.

This news release may include projections and other "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any such projections or
statements reflect Noble Energy's current views about future events and
financial performance. No assurances can be given that such events or
performance will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially
from those projected. Important factors that could cause the actual results to
differ materially from those projected include, without limitation, the
volatility in commodity prices for oil and gas, the presence or recoverability
of estimated reserves, the ability to replace reserves, environmental risks,
drilling and operating risks, exploration and development risks, competition,
government regulation or other action, the ability of management to execute its
plans to meet its goals and other risks inherent in Noble Energy's business that
are detailed in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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PR 246                                                                  12/17/03