EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-107595) and Form S-8 (Nos. 33-18966-99,
33-46724-99, 33-50270-99, 33-57675-99, 33-62394-99, 333-17407-99, 333-25857-99,
333-53912-99, 333-80511-99, 333-107450, and 333-107451) of Noble Corporation of
our report dated January 29, 2004 relating to the consolidated financial
statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas
March 1, 2004