HOUSTON, Jan. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE, “Noble,” or the “Company”) today announced new contract awards for nine rigs comprising approximately $1.3 billion of backlog, including a three-year contract for the harsh environment semisubmersible Noble GreatWhite, which will expand the Company’s existing Norway presence into the harsh environment floater market.
“These important backlog additions indicate a strong and broad-based demand for deepwater drilling on a multi-year basis…”
— Robert W. Eifler, President and CEO
New contract awards, as reflected in the Company’s updated fleet status report published today and available on the Company’s website (www.noblecorp.com), include the following:
Contract Highlights
- Noble GreatWhite — Three-year contract with Aker BP offshore Norway beginning Q2 2027. Total value approximately $473 million. Estimated capital expenditures of $160 million.
- Noble Gerry de Souza — Two-year contract with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria, with optional extensions. Expected backlog addition of $292 million. Operations targeted for mid-2026.
- Guyana Drillships — ExxonMobil awarded two additional rig years under the Commercial Enabling Agreement. Applies to Noble Sam Croft, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Tom Madden, and Noble Bob Douglas through February 2029.
- Noble BlackRhino — Workover contract with Beacon Offshore Energy in the U.S. Gulf beginning March 2026. Estimated 50-day duration, with optional additional well.
- Noble Endeavor — 11-well contract in South America starting late 2026 at a dayrate of $300,000 plus fees.
- Noble Developer — Three-well contract with bp in Trinidad starting Q1 2027 at $375,000 per day. Includes additional well options. Previously announced Suriname contract transferred to Noble Discoverer.
On a combined basis, these contract awards are expected to entail approximately $50 million of contract preparation capital expenditures in 2026, in addition to the Noble GreatWhite program.
About Noble Corporation plc
Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble has been engaged in contract drilling since 1921 and focuses on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup opportunities worldwide.
Additional information is available at www.noblecorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements include expectations regarding contracts, fleet utilization, EBITDA, cash flow, capital expenditures, and backlog.
These statements speak only as of the date of this announcement, and Noble undertakes no obligation to update them, except as required by law.
Contract Backlog
Contract durations and timing are estimates and subject to change. The backlog represents maximum contractual revenues based on operating dayrates and excludes mobilization, demobilization, upgrades, and incentive revenues unless otherwise stated.
Actual revenues may vary due to downtime, suspensions, or operational factors beyond Noble’s control.
Source: Noble Corporation plc
