SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Noble Corp, the world's second-largest offshore drilling contractor by fleet size, said on Wednesday it sent 10 rigs to the shipyard because they could not secure contracts and its stock fell 3 percent.
That brings the total number of 'stacked' Noble rigs to 12 and comes a day after larger rival Transocean Ltd -- which has been more aggressive about stacking rigs -- pulled four older rigs off the market.
The set-aside Noble rigs include three shallow-water jackups off the coast of Mexico, where a lot of wells are on hold, although drilling is expected to resume next year, and three deepwater units, including two in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Noble also said in its latest fleet status report that another deepwater rig in the U.S. Gulf, the Clyde Boudreaux, would be out of work next month because the client decided not to extend its agreement, as expected. The client is Noble Energy Inc, which is not affiliated to Noble Corp.
Noble Corp shares were down 3.4 percent at $35.40 in after-hours trading.
(Reporting by Braden Reddall; editing by Andre Grenon) Keywords: NOBLECORP/ (braden.reddall@thomsonreuters.com +1 415 677 2543; braden.reddall.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
That brings the total number of 'stacked' Noble rigs to 12 and comes a day after larger rival Transocean Ltd -- which has been more aggressive about stacking rigs -- pulled four older rigs off the market.
The set-aside Noble rigs include three shallow-water jackups off the coast of Mexico, where a lot of wells are on hold, although drilling is expected to resume next year, and three deepwater units, including two in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Noble also said in its latest fleet status report that another deepwater rig in the U.S. Gulf, the Clyde Boudreaux, would be out of work next month because the client decided not to extend its agreement, as expected. The client is Noble Energy Inc, which is not affiliated to Noble Corp.
Noble Corp shares were down 3.4 percent at $35.40 in after-hours trading.
(Reporting by Braden Reddall; editing by Andre Grenon) Keywords: NOBLECORP/ (braden.reddall@thomsonreuters.com +1 415 677 2543; braden.reddall.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.