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): December 29, 2005

NOBLE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Cayman Islands (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		001-31306 (Commission File Number)		98-0366361 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

13135 South Dairy Ashford, Suite 800 Sugar Land, Texas (Address of principal executive offices)		77478 (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 276-6100

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-2(c))

 

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

     (b) On December 31, 2005, Danny W. Adkins, Senior Vice President — Operations of Noble Drilling Corporation, retired. Noble Drilling Corporation is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble Corporation (the Registrant). Prior to the retirement of Mr. Adkins and during his service as an officer of Noble Drilling Corporation, the board of directors of Noble Corporation had designated him as an executive officer of Noble Corporation.

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.