Noble Corp. Sells Two Jackups for $79M

Noble Corporation NE today reported that it has entered into two separate Definitive Agreements for the sale of two standard jackup drilling units.  The first agreement, for the 300-foot water depth capable jackup Noble Lewis Dugger, is with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goimar S.A. de C.V., a private company in Mexico that owns and operates supply vessels, platform drilling rigs and jackups.  This unit is being sold for $61 million and the closing is expected to occur in early 2013 after the unit has completed its contract with the current customer, PEMEX.          The second agreement is for the sale of the 150-foot water depth capable Noble Don Walker to Axxis Petroconsultants Limited, a private company in Nigeria that owns and operates drilling units.  The unit has been cold-stacked in Cameroon since 2009.  The purchase price is $18 million, and the closing is expected in early 2013.  Both transactions are subject to customary closing conditions.