00014588912021FYtrueProvide the information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III00011690552021FYtrueProvide the information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III00014588912021-01-012021-12-310001458891ne:NobleFinanceCompanyMember2021-01-012021-12-3100014588912021-06-30iso4217:USD00014588912022-03-01xbrli:shares0001458891ne:NobleFinanceCompanyMember2022-03-01

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2021
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to             
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Commission file number: 001-36211

Noble Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands 98-1575532
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. employer identification number)
13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800, Sugar Land, Texas, 77478
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (281) 276-6100
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Commission file number: 001-31306

Noble Finance Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands 98-0366361
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. employer identification number)
13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800, Sugar Land, Texas 77478
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (281) 276-6100
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares, par value $0.00001 per share, of Noble CorporationNENew York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    
Noble CorporationYesNo
Noble Finance CompanyYesNo
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    
Noble CorporationYesNo
Noble Finance CompanyYesNo
Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    
Noble CorporationYesNo
Noble Finance CompanyYesNo
Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    
Noble CorporationYesNo
Noble Finance CompanyYesNo
Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Noble CorporationLarge accelerated filerAccelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company
Noble Finance CompanyLarge accelerated filerAccelerated filerNon-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting companyEmerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    
Noble Corporation
Noble Finance Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    
Noble CorporationYesNo
Noble Finance CompanyYesNo
As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the registered shares of Noble Corporation held by non-affiliates was $1.5 billion based on the closing price of such shares on such date as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
YesNo
Number of shares outstanding at March 1, 2022: Noble Corporation — 61,888,616
Number of shares outstanding: Noble Finance Company — 261,246,093

Auditor Firm ID: PCAOB ID238Auditor Name:PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPAuditor Location:Houston, Texas


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.

This Form 10-K/A is a combined annual report being filed separately by two registrants: Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Noble Finance Company, a Cayman Islands company.


EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K/A”) amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company (“Noble,” or “Successor”), and Noble Finance Company, a Cayman Islands company (“Finco”), for the year ended December 31, 2021 that was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 17, 2022 (the “Original Filing”) and is being filed to provide the information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III. This information was previously omitted from the Original Filing in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K. Accordingly, we hereby amend and restate in its entirety Part III of the Original Filing. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in Part III of this Form 10-K/A shall have the same meanings assigned to such terms in Parts I and II of the Original Filing.
Additionally, this Form 10-K/A is being filed for the purpose of replacing the consent in Exhibit 23.1 to correct the auditor's consent and to include an inadvertently omitted auditor's consent. Both the new Exhibit 23.1 with the appropriate corrections and Exhibit 23.2 are attached hereto as Exhibits 23.1 and 23.2, respectively.
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Part IV, Item 15 has also been amended to contain the currently dated certifications from the Company’s and Finco’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The certifications of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are attached to this 10-K/A as Exhibits 31.5 and 31.7, respectively, and the certifications of Finco’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are attached to this 10-K/A as Exhibits 31.6. and 31.8, respectively. Because no financial statements have been included in this 10-K/A and this 10-K/A does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the certifications have been omitted. Additionally, we are not including the certificate under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as no financial statements are being filed with this Form 10-K/A.
This Form 10-K/A does not amend or otherwise update any other information in the Original Filing. Other than the information specifically amended and restated herein, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after February 17, 2022, the date of the Original Filing, or modify or update those disclosures that may have been affected by subsequent events. Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Original Filing and with our filings with the SEC subsequent to the Original Filing.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
    Page
    
PART III 
Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12. 
Item 13. 
Item 14.
  
PART IV 
Item 15.
   

PART III
As previously disclosed, on July 31, 2020 (the “Petition Date”), our former parent company, Noble Holding Corporation plc (formerly known as Noble Corporation plc), a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Legacy Noble” or the “Predecessor”), and certain of its subsidiaries, including Finco, filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). On September 4, 2020, certain debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court the Joint Plan of Reorganization of Noble Corporation plc and its Debtor Affiliates, which was subsequently amended on October 8, 2020 and October 13, 2020 and modified on November 18, 2020 (as amended, modified or supplemented, the “Plan”), and the related disclosure statement. On September 24, 2020, six additional subsidiaries of Legacy Noble (together with Legacy Noble and its subsidiaries that filed on the Petition Date, as the context requires, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the Bankruptcy Court. The chapter 11 proceedings were jointly administered under the caption Noble Corporation plc, et al. (Case No. 20-33826) (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). On November 20, 2020, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan. In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and the Plan, on and prior to the Effective Date (as defined herein), Legacy Noble and certain of its subsidiaries effectuated certain restructuring transactions pursuant to which Legacy Noble formed Noble as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Noble and transferred to Noble substantially all of the subsidiaries and other assets of Legacy Noble. On February 5, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Plan became effective in accordance with its terms, the Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases and Noble became the new parent company. In accordance with the Plan, Legacy Noble and its remaining subsidiary will in due course be wound down and dissolved in accordance with applicable law. The Bankruptcy Court closed the Chapter 11 Cases with respect to all Debtors other than Legacy Noble, pending its wind down.
Noble is the successor issuer to Legacy Noble for purposes of and pursuant to Rule 15d-5 of the Exchange Act. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this Form 10-K/A are to Noble, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, when referring to periods following the Effective Date, and to Legacy Noble, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, when referring to periods prior to the Effective Date.

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Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Executive Officers and Directors
Commencing as of the Effective Date, by operation of the Plan, our board of directors (the “Board”) consisted of six members selected in accordance with the Plan: Charles M. Sledge, as Chairman of the Board, Patrick J. Bartels, Jr., Mr. Eifler, Alan J. Hirshberg, Ann D. Pickard, and Melanie M. Trent. On April 19, 2021, the Board appointed Paul Aronzon to serve as a director. The Board consists of a single class of directors with an initial term of office to expire at the next annual general meeting of shareholders of Noble for the election of directors or the date on which the successor of such director is elected.
Except as described below, there is no other arrangement or understanding between or among other of the Board and any other persons pursuant to which he or she was appointed as a member of the Board. None of the members of the Board have any family relationship with any director or executive officer of Noble. There is no relationship between any member of the Board and Noble that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Director Designation Right
Pursuant to the Articles of Association of the Company (the “Articles”), subject to certain conditions and limitations, for so long as the funds and accounts for which the same person serves as investment manager, advisor or sub-advisor (as applicable) on the Effective Date and which funds and accounts owned, in the aggregate, in excess of 35% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company on the Effective Date (the “Designated Entities”) hold, in the aggregate, no fewer than 20% of the outstanding and issued Ordinary Shares, the Designated Entities (with such right exercised by their designating party) shall be entitled to nominate, and the Board shall appoint, one director (the “Investor Director”). For so long as the Designated Entities hold, in aggregate, no fewer than 20% of the outstanding and issued Ordinary Shares, the Investor Director may be removed only by the affirmative vote or written consent of the designating party. If the designating party fails to do so, such directorship shall remain vacant until filled by such designating party. Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (the “Investor Manager”) is currently the designating party for the Designated Entities. The Investor Manager has designated an Investor Director, pursuant to which the Board appointed Paul Aronzon to serve as a director on April 19, 2021.
Information about our Executive Officers and Directors
The following table presents certain information with respect to our executive officers and directors as of March 11, 2022:
NameAgePosition
Robert W. Eifler42Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Paul Aronzon67Director
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr.46Director
Alan J. Hirshberg60Director
Ann D. Pickard66Director
Charles M. Sledge56Director and Chairman of the Board
Melanie M. Trent57Director
Richard B. Barker40Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
William E. Turcotte58Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Blake A. Denton43Vice President, Marketing and Contracts
Joey M. Kawaja48Vice President of Operations
Directors
Robert W. Eifler. Mr. Eifler was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in May 2020. Previously, Mr. Eifler served as Senior Vice President, Commercial of the Company from August 2019 until assuming his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Eifler served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Contracts of the Company from February 2019 to August 2019, and as Vice President and General Manager – Marketing and Contracts of the Company from July 2017 to February 2019. Before that, Mr. Eifler led the Company’s marketing and contracts efforts for the Eastern Hemisphere while based in London. From November 2013 to March 2015, Mr. Eifler worked for Hercules Offshore, Inc., an offshore driller, as Director, International Marketing. Mr. Eifler originally joined the Company in February 2005 as part of the management development program and held numerous operational and marketing roles with increasing responsibility around the world until joining Hercules Offshore, Inc. in 2013. Mr. Eifler brings to our Board extensive knowledge of the Company and the industry as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
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Paul Aronzon. Mr. Aronzon is a strategic financial consultant with extensive experience in successful exchange and tender offers, proxy contests, rights offerings, M&A (company and asset sales) and financing transactions, prepackaged or prearranged reorganizations, contested or litigated (including cram down) Chapter 11 cases, consensual Chapter 11 cases and numerous successful dispute resolution matters, using mediation and various settlement processes. Mr. Aronzon is the founder of PSA Consulting, LLC, where he currently provides financial and business advice and fiduciary services, including as an independent director, lead director, chairperson or special committee member on boards of directors for public/public reporting and private companies in a variety of industries. Mr. Aronzon is also currently affiliated with Arete Capital Partners, as a Principal, providing similar services. Formerly co-managing partner of Milbank’s Los Angeles office and co-leader of Milbank’s Global Financial Restructuring Group, he has over 40 years of experience as an attorney and lead advisor. He also served as the Executive Vice President at Imperial Capital and co-head of its Corporate Finance Group from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Aronzon has advised companies, boards, board committees, independent directors, sponsors, parties acquiring assets, debt or companies and others in transactions across a wide array of industries including, but not limited to, aerospace/defense, agriculture, airlines, apparel and textiles, automotive, broadcasting/cable and other media, chemical, commercial fishing, commercial real estate, construction, commodities trading, energy and electricity, entertainment, equipment rental and leasing, financial services, food and beverage, gaming, healthcare, housing development and home building, manufacturing, mining and timber, metals (including steel, aluminum and copper), oil and gas, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical, project finance, professional service firms (law, accounting and investment banking), publishing, retail, shipping, super markets, telecommunications, technology and bio-science. Mr. Aronzon holds a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and a B.A. degree in Political Science from California State University at Northridge, Los Angeles, CA.
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr. Mr. Bartels has served as the Managing Member of Redan Advisors LLC, a firm that provides fiduciary services, including board of director representation and strategic planning advisory services for domestic and international public and private business entities, since December 2018. Prior to founding Redan Advisors LLC, Mr. Bartels was a senior investment professional with 20 years of experience. His professional experience includes investing in complex financial restructurings and process-intensive situations in North America, Asia and Europe in a broad universe of industries. Mr. Bartels has served as a director on numerous public and private boards of directors with an extensive track-record of driving value-added returns for all stakeholders through governance, incentive alignment, capital markets transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bartels currently serves on the board of Arch Resources, Inc. and on several private company boards. He previously served on the boards of WCI Communities, Inc., Libbey Inc., B. Riley Principal Merger Corp., and B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II, and on several private company boards. From 2002 to November 2018, Mr. Bartels served as a Managing Principal at Monarch Alternative Capital LP, a private investment firm that focused primarily on event-driven credit opportunities. Prior to Monarch Alternative Capital LP, he served as Research Analyst for high yield investments at INVESCO, where he analyzed primary and secondary debt offerings of companies in various industries. Mr. Bartels began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he was a Certified Public Accountant. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Bartels received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Finance from Bucknell University. Mr. Bartels brings to our Board extensive accounting, financial and investment experience, as well as experience as a director for multiple companies including several that have undertaken bankruptcy and restructuring processes.
Alan J. Hirshberg. Mr. Hirshberg has served as a Senior Advisor at Blackstone Management Partners from January 2019 to January 2022. He joined ConocoPhillips in 2010 as its Senior Vice President, Planning and Strategy, and retired in January 2019 as its Executive Vice President, Production, Drilling and Projects, a position he held since April 2016. In this role, he had responsibility for ConocoPhillips’ worldwide operations, as well as supply chain, aviation, marine, major projects, drilling and engineering functions. Prior to joining ConocoPhillips, Mr. Hirshberg worked at Exxon and ExxonMobil for 27 years, serving in various senior leadership positions in upstream research, production operations, major projects and strategic planning. His last role at ExxonMobil was Vice President of Worldwide Deepwater and Africa Projects. Mr. Hirshberg is currently on the boards of Falcon Minerals Corporation and McDermott International. Mr. Hirshberg received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University. Mr. Hirshberg brings to our Board significant knowledge and insight into overseeing management of strategic initiatives and global operations as well as deep industry experience and knowledge.
Ann D. Pickard. Ms. Pickard retired from Royal Dutch Shell in 2016. Ms. Pickard held numerous positions of increasing responsibility during her 15-year tenure with Shell. She last served as Executive Vice President, Arctic and was responsible for Shell’s Arctic exploration efforts. This followed three successful years as Executive Vice President of Shell’s Exploration and Production business and Country Chair of Shell in Australia where she oversaw Gas Commercialization, Manufacturing, Chemicals, Supply and Distribution, Retail, Lubricants, Trading and Shipping, and Alternative Energy. Ms. Pickard was previously Shell’s Regional Executive Vice President for Sub Saharan Africa. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, she was accountable for Shell’s Exploration & Production, Natural Gas, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) activities in the region. Before that, Ms. Pickard was Director, Global Businesses and Strategy and a member of the Shell Gas & Power Executive Committee with responsibility for Global LNG, Power, and Gas & Power Strategy. Ms. Pickard joined Shell in 2000 after an 11-year tenure with Mobil prior to its merger with Exxon. Ms. Pickard has significant business experience throughout South America, Australia, the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa. Ms. Pickard is a director of KBR, Inc., where she is the Chairman of the Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Responsibility Committee and a member of the Audit Committee, a director of Woodside Petroleum Ltd., where she serves as the Chairman of the Sustainability Committee, and The University of Wyoming Foundation, where she serves on the
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Budget/Audit Committee. In addition, Ms. Pickard is a member of Chief Executive Women. She was a member of the Advisory Council of the Eurasia Foundation and Global Agenda Council on the Arctic for the World Economic Forum. Ms. Pickard also served on the Board of Advisors of Catalyst and was a director of Westpac Banking Corporation. Ms. Pickard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Pickard brings to our Board significant global business and leadership experience and deep industry knowledge.
Charles M. Sledge. Mr. Sledge previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Cameron International Corporation, an oilfield services company, from 2008 until its sale to Schlumberger Limited in 2016. Prior to that, he served as the Corporate Controller of Cameron International Corporation from 2001 until 2008. He currently serves on the boards of Weatherford International plc, where he serves as chairman, and Talos Energy LLC. He previously served on the boards of Expro International, Vine Energy, Inc., Templar Energy and Stone Energy. Mr. Sledge received a BS in Accounting from Louisiana State University. Mr. Sledge brings to our Board experience and knowledge gained as an executive officer in the energy industry and extensive accounting and financial experience.
Melanie M. Trent. Ms. Trent previously served in various legal, administrative and compliance capacities for Rowan Companies plc, a global offshore drilling contractor (now port of Valaris, plc), from 2005 until April 2017, including as an Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative officer from 2014 until April 2017, as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Company Secretary from 2011 until 2014, and as Vice President and Corporate Secretary from 2010 until 2011. Prior to her tenure at Rowan Companies plc, Ms. Trent served in various legal, administrative and investor relations capacities for Reliant Energy Incorporated, served as counsel at Compaq Computer Corporation and as an associate at Andrews Kurth LLP. Ms. Trent serves on the boards of Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Arcosa, Inc. She previously served on the board of Frank’s International. Ms. Trent holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Ms. Trent brings to our Board strong industry knowledge gained from senior management positions in the offshore drilling sector and experience as a director for diverse, energy-related companies.
None of the corporations or other organizations in which our non-management directors carried on their respective principal occupations and employments or for which our non-management directors served as directors during the past five years is a parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company.
Executive Officers
Robert W. Eifler. See “—Directors” above.
Richard B. Barker. Mr. Barker was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in March 2020. Mr. Barker served as Managing Director of Moelis & Company, a leading global independent investment bank, where he specialized in advising oilfield services and equipment clients in the oil and gas sector, from August 2019 to March 2020. He has 15 years of investment banking experience working with oil and gas companies globally. Prior to joining Moelis & Company, Mr. Barker was Managing Director and Head of Oilfield Services for North America at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he held roles of increasing responsibility from May 2015 to August 2019. From May 2011 to May 2015, he worked at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., most recently as Executive Director, where he worked with oilfield services companies on a variety of strategic matters, including mergers and acquisitions, equity financing and capital structure policy. Mr. Barker began his investment banking career at Goldman Sachs, where he spent over five years through May 2011 in its Natural Resources Group.
William E. Turcotte. Mr. Turcotte was named Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company in December 2008. He was named Corporate Secretary of the Company in January 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Turcotte served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Cornell Companies, Inc., a private corrections company, since March 2007. He served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Transocean, Inc., an offshore oil and gas drilling contractor, from October 2005 to March 2007, and as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary from January 2000 to October 2005. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Turcotte served in various legal positions with Schlumberger Limited in Houston, Caracas and Paris. Mr. Turcotte was in private practice prior to joining Schlumberger Limited.
Blake A. Denton. Mr. Denton was named Vice President of Marketing and Contracts of the Company in March 2020. Previously, Mr. Denton served as Director of Marketing and Contracts for the Company from January 2017 until assuming his position as Vice President, where he led the Company’s marketing and contracts efforts for the Middle East and India while based in Dubai. Prior to that, Mr. Denton served as the Company’s Project Director from March 2012 to January 2017 based in Korea and Houston, and as Project Manager from August 2010 to March 2012 based in Singapore. Before that, Mr. Denton led the Company’s newbuild project electrical engineering efforts for dynamically positioned drilling assets as a consultant based first in Houston and then in Singapore. Before joining the Company, Mr. Denton worked for a Houston-based electrical integration company supplying power generation and controls equipment primarily to the marine and drilling industry worldwide.
Joey M. Kawaja. Mr. Kawaja was named Vice President of Operations of the Company in October 2020. Mr. Kawaja has over 25 years of experience in offshore rig operations and project management. Previously, Mr. Kawaja served as Regional Manager – Western Hemisphere
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for the Company from August 2014 until assuming his position as Vice President of Operations, where he led all of the Company’s shorebased and offshore operations in North and South America. Prior to that, Mr. Kawaja served in various roles including Operations Manager, Drilling Superintendent and Project Manager, since joining the Company in 1996.
Legal Proceedings
There have been no material legal proceedings requiring disclosure under the federal securities laws within the past ten years that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of our directors or executive officers, except that, as previously disclosed, we voluntarily filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in July 2020.
Corporate Governance
Code of Ethics
We have adopted the Code of Conduct, which applies to directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Our Code of Conduct is posted under “Corporate Governance” in the “Investors” section of our website at www.noblecorp.com. Changes to and waivers granted with respect to our Code of Conduct related to the officers identified above, and our other executive officers and directors, that we are required to disclose pursuant to applicable rules and regulations of the SEC will be posted on our website.
Board Committees
Our Board has four standing committees: audit; compensation; nominating, governance and sustainability; and finance. Each of these committees operates under a written charter that has been adopted by the respective committee and by our Board. The charters are published under “Corporate Governance” in the “Investors” section of our website at www.noblecorp.com and are available in print to any existing or potential shareholders who request them.
Each of our Board’s standing committees is composed entirely of independent directors. The current members of the committees and a description of the functions performed by each committee are set forth below.
NameAudit CompensationNominating, Governance and SustainabilityFinance
Robert W. Eifler
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr.*Chair
Alan J. Hirshberg
Ann D. PickardChair
Charles M. Sledge**
Melanie M. TrentChair
Paul Aronzon
* Audit Committee Financial Expert
** Board Chairman
Audit Committee. The primary responsibilities of the audit committee are to appoint, compensate, retain and oversee the Company’s auditors (including review and approval of the terms of engagement and fees), to review with the auditors the Company’s financial reports (and other financial information) provided to the SEC and the investing public, to prepare and approve reports of the committee that are required by rules of the SEC to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual general meeting of shareholders and to assist our Board with oversight of the following: integrity of the Company’s financial statements; compliance by the Company with standards of business ethics and legal and regulatory requirements; qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditors including both our independent registered public accounting firm and our statutory auditors; and performance of the Company’s independent auditors and internal auditors. Our Board has determined that Mr. Bartels, an independent director, is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under the applicable SEC rules and regulations.
Compensation Committee. The primary responsibilities of the compensation committee are to discharge our Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of directors and executive officers, to assist our Board in reviewing and administering compensation, benefits, incentive and equity-based compensation plans, to monitor compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Company’s compensation policy and practices, and to prepare an annual disclosure under the caption “Compensation Committee Report” for
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inclusion in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K (or if applicable, proxy statement for its annual general meeting of shareholders). See Item 11 of this Form 10-K/A for the compensation discussion and analysis relating to 2021.
Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. The primary purpose of the nominating, governance and sustainability committee is to assist our Board in reviewing board composition, performance and succession planning, including without limitation, identifying, evaluating and recommending candidates for the Board, reviewing and recommending to the Board the Company’s corporate governance policies, assisting the Board in discharging its responsibilities on matters relating to the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices, and assisting the Board in its oversight role with respect to the Company’s sustainability policies and practices including with regard to health, safety, environment, climate change, and diversity and inclusion efforts.
Finance Committee. The primary purpose of the finance committee is to assist our Board with its oversight of the Company’s capital strategy, structure and financing matters. The responsibilities of the finance committee include reviewing and, where appropriate, making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s capital structure and capital strategy generally, cost structure, exposure to financial risk, capital allocation priorities, financing arrangements, dividends and stock or debt repurchases. The finance committee’s responsibilities also include oversight and approval of capital and related transactions, but only within any specific authority granted to the finance committee by the Board from time to time.
Shareholder Nomination Process
Section 20 of the Articles provides the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board. In accordance with Article 20.3, nominations may be made by any shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who has complied with all applicable procedures set forth in Article 20.4 through 20.10 of the Articles, and who was a member of record at the time the required notice is delivered to the Company and on the record date for the determination of members entitled to vote at such meeting. For nominations to be properly brought before a general meeting by a shareholder pursuant to Article 20.3, the shareholder must have given timely notice of such nomination or nominations or other business in proper written form to the Company or secretary. To be timely, a shareholder’s request must be delivered, either by personal delivery or by prepaid mail to, and received by, the Company or secretary at the registered office of the Company not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual general meeting is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 90th day prior to such annual general meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 70th day prior to such annual general meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made, and with respect to any annual general meeting to be held in calendar year 2021, if applicable, to be timely notice must be delivered not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.
Shareholder Communications with Directors
Our Board has approved the following process for shareholders and other security holders of the Company and interested parties to send communications to our Board. To contact all directors on our Board, all directors on a Board committee, an individual director or the non-management directors of our Board as a group, the shareholder, other security holder or interested party can:
mail: Noble Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800, Sugar Land, Texas, 77478;
e-mail: nobleboard@noblecorp.com;
telephone: the NobleLine (anonymous and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) at 1-877-285-4162 or +1-704-544-2879; or
internet: the NobleLine at: http://www.nobleline.ethicspoint.com.
All communications received in the mail are opened by or at the direction of the office of the Company’s Secretary for the purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message to our Board. All communications received electronically are processed by our Board or under the oversight of our Board by the Company’s general counsel or chief compliance officer. Complaints or concerns relating to the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters are referred to the audit committee of our Board. Complaints or concerns relating to other corporate matters, which are not addressed to a specific director, are referred to the Company’s general counsel or chief compliance officer for review and response. Complaints or concerns relating to corporate matters other than the specific items referred to the audit committee as described above, which are addressed to a specific director, committee of our Board or group of directors, are either received directly by or promptly relayed to such persons.
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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10 percent of the shares, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of such shares. Directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of the shares are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations from our directors and officers that no other reports were required, during the year ended December 31, 2021, our directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of the shares complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes our compensation practices and decisions for our named executive officers (our “NEOs”) for the year ended December 31, 2021.
This CD&A is intended to provide context for the information contained in the executive compensation tables that follow this discussion under the heading “2021 Compensation Information.” The 2021 compensation program and decisions described in this CD&A were determined by our current compensation committee following our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date, which is comprised of the following three independent directors: Melanie M. Trent, Chair, Alan J. Hirshberg, and Charles M. Sledge. While this CD&A focuses on compensation for the NEOs for 2021, as the last completed fiscal year, in accordance with the rules of the SEC, we also describe compensation actions effected after the end of the last completed fiscal year to the extent we believe such discussion enhances the understanding of our executive compensation disclosures and our executive compensation structure.
As used in this Item 11, when discussing time periods prior to the Effective Date, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” refer to Legacy Noble and, as appropriate, its subsidiaries, the terms “Board” and “compensation committee” refer to the board of directors of Legacy Noble and the compensation committee of the board of directors of Legacy Noble, and the terms “share”, “shares” or “shareholders” refer to Legacy Noble’s ordinary shares and shareholders.
Executive Summary
The offshore drilling industry has for many years faced the challenging combination of a significant rig oversupply along with materially reduced global offshore rig demand stemming from a reduction in offshore development and exploration activity. While industry conditions improved slightly in 2019, the oil supply shock driven by production disagreements among OPEC+ members and the oil demand shock brought on by the effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 halted any momentum for recovery. Reflecting these market factors, our share price suffered a precipitous decline from late 2014 through July 2020 when the effects of this downturn ultimately forced the Company and several of its industry peers into bankruptcy. A substantial portion of our NEO compensation during the years leading up to Legacy Noble’s bankruptcy represented long-term equity-based incentives for future performance, not actual cash compensation. These incentives were tied to the market price of our ordinary shares and the remaining awards as well as outstanding equity were ultimately cancelled in connection with our bankruptcy.
We emerged from bankruptcy on the Effective Date, which was February 5, 2021, and on that date formed our new Board and compensation committee. In April 2021, Noble completed the Pacific Drilling Merger, and on June 9, 2021, the Company’s ordinary shares began trading again on the NYSE. Then, in November 2021, Noble entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Maersk Drilling, and the transaction is expected to close in mid-2022.
Over the course of 2021, oil prices recovered and have continued to rise during 2022. Drilling contracting activity also improved as our customer base started to increase their capital budgets. While we are cautiously optimistic that recent positive trends will continue, our industry continues to face significant uncertainties. Recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has further destabilized energy markets and is causing significant volatility.
Our industry is also challenged as our customers rebalance their capital investments to include alternative energy sources, as well as respond to the normal cycles that have historically existed in our industry. We also expect inflationary pressures to persist and expect to continue to experience disruptions in supply chains and distribution channels. Nonetheless, the global energy demand is predicted to increase, and we expect that offshore oil and gas will continue to play an important and sustainable role in meeting this demand over the foreseeable future.
Our executive compensation program reflects our pay-for-performance philosophy. Our compensation committee uses a combination of fixed and variable pay elements to achieve the objectives set forth below in “Our Compensation Philosophy and Objectives.”
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Certain aspects of the executive compensation paid in 2021 in connection with the emergence from bankruptcy were negotiated by Legacy Noble directly with the key creditor groups and reflected in the bankruptcy plan.
These are discussed in more detail below.
Our NEOs
When used in this CD&A, our NEOs are:
NameTitle
Robert W. EiflerPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Richard B. BarkerSenior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
William E. TurcotteSenior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Joey M. KawajaVice President of Operations
Blake A. DentonVice President, Marketing and Contracts
Details of our Compensation Program
Our Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
We believe that strong corporate governance requires that our compensation program pays for performance and that it closely aligns our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders. We place a majority of executive pay at risk and subject a substantial portion of our NEOs’ potential compensation to specific annual and long-term performance metrics intended to drive Company success. We also follow certain simple foundational rules and best practices, and we strictly prohibit certain practices that do not meet our compensation standards. Notably, our executive compensation program contains shareholder-friendly features, including the following:
We pay for performance — a meaningful portion of NEO pay is contingent on attaining pre-established performance goals.
We mandate that at least 60% of all NEO annual equity awards be subject to attaining pre-established performance goals.
We require executives to maintain significant stock ownership
We have a robust clawback provision enabling us to recoup previously paid cash and equity incentive compensation from our executive officers upon the occurrence of certain events.
We consult with independent compensation consultants when designing our compensation program and setting target levels of performance.
We prohibit pledging or hedging of Company shares.
We require a double trigger for cash severance benefits upon a change of control.
We prohibit repricing or buyout of underwater options.
Our executive compensation program reflects our philosophy that executive compensation should be structured to closely align each executive’s interests with the interests of our shareholders, emphasizing equity-based incentives and performance-based pay. The primary objectives of the Company’s compensation program are to:
Support the Company’s growth strategy including acquiring and integrating assets and companies to drive long-term shareholder value creation.
Attract, retain, and motivate key executives capable of managing a complex, global business in a challenging and cyclical industry, by providing market competitive total compensation opportunities.
Emphasize a strong link between pay and performance with predefined short and long-term performance metrics that place the majority of total compensation at risk.
Align executive and shareholder interests by establishing market-relevant metrics, including focus on strategic ESG initiatives that drive shareholder value creation and address stakeholder expectations.
Consistent with this philosophy, we seek to provide a total compensation package for the NEOs that is competitive in respect of our Peer Group (as defined below) for a given year. A substantial portion of total compensation is subject to Company and individual performance and is subject to forfeiture. In designing these compensation packages, the compensation committee annually reviews each compensation component and compares its use and level to various internal and external performance standards and market reference points.
Components of our Compensation Program for our NEOs
The compensation program for our NEOs is designed to link pay with performance and consists of the following components:
Base pay. This fixed cash component of compensation provides executives with salary levels set to be competitive with our Benchmark Peer Group (as described below).
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Annual short-term incentive compensation. This performance-based component of compensation is funded based on annual free cash flow, contract drilling margin, Total Recordable Incident Rate (“TRIR”), Loss of Primary Containment (“LOPC”) and ESG goals, each of which is relative to internal targets and is paid as an annual cash bonus through our short-term incentive plan (“STIP”).
Long-term incentive compensation. Our two components of long-term incentive pay as described below are used to further align management with shareholders:
Performance-based long-term incentive awards. We use performance-based restricted stock units (“PVRSUs”), that vest after three years and are determined based on absolute shareholder return and strategic goals including asset growth, controlling cost and certain ESG goals. PVRSUs represent 60% of the NEO equity awards.
Time-based long-term incentive awards. We use time vested restricted stock units (“TVRSUs”) that vest pro-rata over a three-year period. TVRSUs represent 40% of the NEO equity awards.
Benefits. The retirement and health benefits that are available to our NEOs are described below under “—How Compensation Components Are Determined—Retirement Benefits.”
Board Process and Independent Review of Compensation Program
The compensation committee is responsible for determining the compensation of our directors and executive officers and for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence to our executive compensation philosophy. The compensation committee provides oversight on behalf of our Board in reviewing and administering the compensation programs, benefits, incentive and equity-based compensation plans. The compensation committee operates independently of management and receives compensation advice and data from outside independent advisors.
The compensation committee charter authorizes the committee to retain and terminate, as the committee deems necessary, independent advisors to provide advice and evaluation of the compensation of directors and executive officers, and other matters relating to compensation, benefits, incentive and equity-based compensation plans and corporate performance. The compensation committee is further authorized to approve the fees and other engagement terms of any independent advisor that it retains.
Our post-emergence compensation committee chose to engage Meridian Compensation Partners as its independent compensation consultant. In addition, with regard to the design of the management incentive program, which is reflected in our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), the compensation committee briefly engaged Lyons, Benenson & Company Inc. (individually a “compensation consultant” or “advisor” and with Meridian collectively, “the compensation consultants” or “the advisors”). The advisors did not provide any additional services to the Company or any of our affiliates during 2021. The compensation committee has reviewed the independence of each of the advisors as required by the NYSE rules, and determined that each is independent.
The compensation consultants report to, and act at the direction of, the compensation committee. The compensation consultants are independent of management, provide comparative market data regarding executive and director compensation to assist in establishing reference points for the principal components of compensation and provides information regarding compensation trends in the general marketplace, best practices, compensation practices of the Peer Groups described below, and regulatory and compliance developments. The ongoing compensation consultant regularly participates in the meetings of the compensation committee as well as meets regularly with the compensation committee in executive sessions without management present.
In determining compensation for our CEO, the compensation committee evaluates and assesses the CEO’s performance related to leadership, financial and operating results, achievement of company objectives and other considerations. The compensation consultant provides market information and perspectives on market-based adjustments, which are included in the compensation committee’s decision-making process. The compensation committee may incorporate these considerations, as well as compensation market information, into its adjustment decisions.
In determining compensation for executive officers other than our CEO, our CEO consults with the compensation consultant to review compensation market information and prior compensation decisions, and then recommends compensation adjustments to the compensation committee. Our CEO may attend compensation committee meetings at the request of the compensation committee, except when the compensation of our CEO is being discussed. The compensation committee reviews and approves all compensation for our NEOs and recommends the compensation for our directors to the full board.
Peer Groups and Benchmarking
We compete for talent with employers across many different sectors around the world, but our primary competitive market consists of offshore drilling companies and oilfield services companies. In making compensation decisions for our NEOs, each element of their total direct compensation is compared against published compensation data and data provided by the compensation consultant. Data from peer companies
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plays an important role in the process used by the compensation committee to determine the design, components and award levels in our executive pay program. The peer companies are chosen in part because they operate in a similar industry, form an appropriate range of revenue and asset sizes, and have similar breadth, complexity and global scope. The compensation committee conducts a review of our peer group every year in order to ensure that it remains appropriate.
2021 Benchmark Peer Group
The following compensation benchmarking peer group was developed following our emergence from bankruptcy and used as a reference when establishing 2021 target compensation program design:
Bristow Group Inc.ChampionX CorporationChart Industries, Inc.
Eagle Materials Inc.Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
MRC Global Inc.Nabors Industries, Ltd.NOV Inc.
Oceaneering International, Inc.Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.Tidewater Inc.
Transocean Ltd.
How Compensation Components Are Determined
Base Salary. Base salary levels of the NEOs were determined based on a combination of factors, including our compensation philosophy, market compensation data, competition for key executive talent, the NEO’s experience, leadership, prior contribution to the Company’s success, the Company’s overall annual budget for merit increases and the NEO’s individual performance in the prior year. The compensation committee conducts an annual review of the base salaries of NEOs taking these factors into account and the committee also reviews the base salaries at the time of any promotion or significant change in job responsibilities.
2021 base salaries for our NEOs are shown in the table below:
Name2021 Base Salary
Robert W. Eifler (1)
$800,000 
Richard B. Barker$475,000 
William E. Turcotte$470,000 
Joey M. Kawaja$330,000 
Blake A. Denton$300,000 
(1) The Board approved a base salary increase for Mr. Eifler effective February 16, 2021 from $675,000.
STIP. Our STIP gives participants, including NEOs, the opportunity to earn annual cash bonuses in relation to specified target award levels defined as a percentage of their base salaries. STIP target award levels are developed based on a combination of factors, including our compensation philosophy, market compensation data, competition for key executive talent, the NEO’s experience, leadership, prior contribution to the Company’s success, the Company’s overall annual budget for merit increases and the NEO’s individual performance. The success of the Company is tied to the achievement of key performance goals that are shown below and the STIP is designed to reward executives for meeting these goals. Company performance determines STIP funding levels. Accordingly, if performance thresholds are not met, STIP awards are not funded.
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The components of the performance bonus, weighting factors and threshold, target and maximum levels for corporate personnel, including NEOs, for the 2021 plan year (as revised by the Amended and Restated 2021 STIP) are set forth in the table below:
Component of Performance BonusHow DeterminedWeighting of Component2021 TargetThreshold/Target/MaximumBonus Pool Multiple
Financial Efficiency MeasureAdjusted Free Cash Flow35%($154 million)Threshold: ($182 million)
Target: ($154 million) Maximum: ($88 million)
0.5
1
2
Contract Drilling Margin less G&A relative to goal35%10.50%Threshold: 7.50%
Target: 10.50%
Maximum: 14.70%
0.5
1
2
Safety Performance MeasureTRIR relative to goal10%0.35 (measured pursuant to the guidelines set for by the International Association of Drilling Contractors “IADC”)Threshold: ≤ 0.40
Target: ≤ 0.35
Maximum: ≤ 0.30
0.5
1
2
Loss of Primary Containment (LOPC)10%0.43Threshold: ≤ 0.55
Target: ≤ 0.43
Maximum: ≤ 0.30
0.5
1
2
StrategicFinalizing measurable ESG goals to be included in the Sustainability Report and publishing the report10%Committee DiscretionThreshold: 0.50
Target: 1.00
Maximum: 2.00
0.5
1
2
STIP – Company Performance Component
The 2021 results and the calculation of the performance component for corporate personnel, including NEOs for the 2021 plan year (as revised by the Amended and Restated 2021 STIP), are set forth in the table below:
Component of Performance BonusActual 2021 ResultsBonus Pool MultipleComponent Payout (Weighting X Bonus Pool Multiple)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($95 million)1.890.66
Contact Drilling Margin Less G&A10.85%1.080.38
TRIR Measure0.370.800.08
Loss of Primary Containment (LOPC)0.202.000.20
Finalizing measurable ESG goals to be included in the Sustainability Report and the publishing the report Weighted at Target1.000.10
Goal Achievement1.42
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For any individual, including our NEOs, the Company funding factor is multiplied by the applicable individual target award to calculate the preliminary performance bonus. Individual target awards are equal to a fixed percentage of base salary. The 2021 target awards for our NEOs are set forth in the table below:
NameTarget
Robert W. Eifler110 %
Richard B. Barker75 %
William E. Turcotte70 %
Joey M. Kawaja60 %
Blake A. Denton60 %
STIP – Individual Goals Component
Individual target performance bonuses may be adjusted upward or downward to reflect merit, individual and team performance and/or additional selected criteria, subject to the approval of the compensation committee. If, on a cumulative basis, the sum of STIP awards is greater than the formulaic STIP funding pool, STIP awards are reduced to remain within the constraints of the funding pool.
Name2021 SalaryXSTIP TargetX
Award Factor (1)
X
Individual Achievement (1)
2021 STIP
Robert W. Eifler$800,000X110%X1.34X1.00$1,179,200
Richard B. Barker$475,000X75%X1.34X1.00$477,375
William E. Turcotte$470,000X70%X1.34X1.00$440,860
Joey M. Kawaja$330,000X60%X1.34X1.00$265,320
Blake A. Denton (2)
$300,000X60%X1.34X1.00$241,200
(1)Award factor resulted in multiplier of 1.42 overall. For the NEOs, the award factor was reduced for operational performance matters. Individual achievement goals were determined at target or a 1 multiple.
(2)Mr. Denton was named an executive officer on February 5, 2021 upon emergence.
Long-Term Incentives
We believe it is important to reward executive officers and key employees who demonstrate superior performance in their current position, as well as the likelihood of high-level performance in the future, with long-term incentive compensation. Such long-term incentive compensation is consistent with our overall compensation philosophy to align executives’ and employees’ interests with the interests of our shareholders.
The value of long-term incentive compensation awards is determined annually based on the analysis of competitive data. In particular, this value is developed considering our objectives for this component of total compensation relative to the pay of the companies in the Benchmark Peer Group and is set to be competitive with the Benchmark Peer Group. Our CEO recommends for consideration and approval by the compensation committee the total value of awards for all positions other than his or her own. The compensation committee determines the total award value for our CEO and, based in part on the CEO’s recommendations, for the other NEOs. In connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases all previously outstanding equity awards were cancelled on the Effective Date.
Following the Effective Date, in February 2021, the current compensation committee approved the Noble Corporation 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 LTIP”) and approved equity grants (the “Emergence Grants”) under the 2021 LTIP to selected members of the Company’s senior management, including each of the NEOs. The compensation committee based its decision to approve the Emergence Grants on a review of market practices for companies following emergence from Chapter 11, and to serve the following objectives:
Strengthen alignment with the interests of our new shareholders;
Support a strong performance-based culture:
Enhance the ability to retain key talent through the post-emergence period.
These awards were granted in the form of 40% TVRSUs and 60% PVRSUs. TVRSUs vest one-third per year over three years commencing one year from the award date. PVRSU awards are determined based on absolute total shareholder return and certain strategic goals, and will vest, to the extent earned, after the end of the three-year performance period (2021-2023). The Emergence Grant PVRSU awards vest 50% based upon the level of absolute total shareholder return (“TSR”) and 50% based upon the achievement of certain strategic goals, in each case at the end of the applicable performance period. The final number of PVRSUs subject to TSR metrics that vest may range from 0% to 200% of the target number of such PVRSUs, where 50% of the target PVRSUs will vest if the threshold TSR level of 8% is met, 100% will vest if the target TSR level of 12% is met and 200% will vest if the maximum TSR level of 20% or more is met. The PVRSUs that
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vest based on strategic goals depend on the actual achievement of these strategic goals compared to expected achievement. The strategic goals are weighted 50% on asset growth, 30% on controlling costs and 20% on our ESG goals. The final number of PVRSUs within each strategic goal that vest may range from 0% to 200% of the target number of such PVRSUs, where 50% of the target PVRSUS will vest if the threshold of “partial” achievement is met, 100% will vest if the target of expected achievement is met and 200% will vest if the maximum of “outstanding” achievement is met.
As is customary market practice to entice and retain management to stay with a restructured company, Legacy Noble negotiated and agreed with its creditors during the bankruptcy process certain aspects of executive compensation to be effective upon emergence. Among these items were the allocation of shares reserved for the Company’s post-emergence LTIP, the percentage of such shares that would be awarded in the first year after emergence, and the allocation of such shares that would be awarded as time vested awards in the first year. The creditors agreed to allocate 10% of the fully diluted shares of the Company to the LTIP and to allow an award of 40% of such shares in the first year, with 40% of such shares represented by time vested equity awards, each of which was based on market comparables. New employment agreements for the NEOs were also negotiated with the creditors.
The Emergence Grant equity awards were made using a price per share of $13.46 based on third-party implied market prices immediately prior to emergence, and in consultation with our creditors. The values reflected in our accounting records were $20.15 for the 2021 PVRSUs and $16.44 for the 2021 TVRSUs. The respective 2021 PVRSU and TVRSU values are set forth in the tables below.
2021 PVRSU Values
NameAward Values @ $13.46Award Values @ $20.15
Robert W. Eifler$10,080,221 $15,090,375 
Richard B. Barker$2,767,241 $4,142,639 
William E. Turcotte$2,145,389 $3,211,709 
Joey M. Kawaja$1,243,704 $1,861,860 
Blake A. Denton$1,243,704 $1,861,860 
2021 TVRSU Values
NameAward Values @ $13.46Award Values @ $16.44
Robert W. Eifler$6,720,147 $8,207,966 
Richard B. Barker$1,844,828 $2,253,266 
William E. Turcotte$1,430,260 $1,746,914 
Joey M. Kawaja$829,136 $1,012,704 
Blake A. Denton$829,136 $1,012,704 
Retirement Benefits
We offer retirement programs that are intended to supplement the personal savings and social security for covered officers and other employees. The programs include the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan, the Noble Services LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan, the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan, and the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan. The Company decided to terminate the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan in November 2021.
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The Company believes that the retirement programs described below assist the Company in maintaining a competitive position in attracting and retaining officers and other employees. A description of these plans, including eligibility and limits, is set forth in the following table.
PlanDescription & EligibilityBenefits & Vesting
401(k) and Profit Sharing PlanQualified defined contribution plan that enables qualified employees, including NEOs, to save for retirement through a tax-advantaged combination of employee and Company contributions.Following the discontinuation of matching contributions in 2020 in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, effective March 1, 2021, the Company reinstated the matching contributions at the rate of $0.70 to $1.00 per $1.00 (up to 3% of base pay) depending on years of service. The Company did not make an annual discretionary profit sharing contribution for 2021.
401(k) Savings Restoration PlanUnfunded, nonqualified employee benefit plan under which specified employees may defer compensation in excess of 401(k) plan limits.Vesting and, to the extent an employee is prohibited from participating in the 401(k) Savings Plan, matching provisions mirror 401(k) Savings Plan. The Company did not offer enrollment in the plan for 2022.
Salaried Employees’ Retirement PlanQualified defined benefit pension plan available to participants originally hired on or before July 31, 2004.Benefits are determined by years of service and average monthly compensation near retirement. The plan was amended effective December 31, 2016 to cease future benefit accruals.
Retirement Restoration PlanUnfunded, nonqualified defined benefit pension plan available to participants originally hired on or before July 31, 2004.Eligible compensation in excess of Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) annual compensation limit for a given year is considered in the Retirement Restoration Plan. The plan was amended effective December 31, 2016 to cease future benefit accruals.
For additional information regarding these plans, please see the description under “—2021 Compensation Information—Retirement Payments and Benefits.”
Other Benefits and Perquisites
The Company provides healthcare, life and disability insurance, and other employee benefit programs to its employees, including NEOs, which the Company believes assists in maintaining a competitive position in terms of attracting and retaining officers and other employees. These employee benefits plans are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to all employees.
The Company provides only minimal perquisites and other personal benefits to NEOs. The Company and the compensation committee believe these are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program. Attributed costs of perquisites for NEOs for the year ended December 31, 2021 are included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
Share Ownership Policy and Holding Requirements
The current Board has adopted a share ownership policy applicable to the officers and directors, including NEOs. The share ownership policy requires covered persons to hold shares with an aggregate value in excess of specified multiples of their base salary or annual retainer as set forth below. No sale should be made until the holding requirement is met, and the requirement must be met for each sale of stock.
PositionMinimum Ownership Thresholds
Chief Executive Officer6.0 Times Then-Current Base Salary
Senior Vice President3.0 Times Then-Current Base Salary
Vice President1.0 Times Then-Current Base Salary
Non-Executive Director5.0 Times Then-Current Annual Retainer
Securities Trading Policy and Timing of Equity-Based Awards
The Company’s policy on trading in Company shares prohibits directors, officers, employees and agents from hedging or engaging in short sale transactions or buying or selling puts or calls involving Company securities and prohibits purchases of Company securities on margin. The Company’s policy on trading in Company shares also prohibits directors, officers, employees and agents from purchasing or selling Company securities while in possession of any material information about the Company or its operations that has not been publicly disclosed. As such, and in addition to our pre-clearance procedures, directors, officers and certain designated employees and consultants are
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prohibited from buying or selling Company securities during our quarterly blackout periods (which begins on the first day of the month following the end of each fiscal quarter and extends until one full trading day has elapsed after the day on which the Company’s quarterly or annual earnings for the applicable period are released) and during certain situation-specific blackout periods in which developments known to the Company have not yet been disclosed to the public. However, the Company does permit directors, officers or employees to enter into Rule 10b5-1 sales or purchase plans in accordance with our pre-clearance procedures if they so desire.
Clawback Provisions
The Company’s clawback policy provides that at any time there is a material and negative restatement of the Company’s reported financial results, the cash and equity incentive compensation awarded or paid to any executive officer during the previous three years would be subject to recoupment, if the Board determines that the executive officer’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence materially contributed to such restatement. Base salary is not subject to clawback under this policy.
In addition, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally requires US-listed public company chief executive officers and chief financial officers to disgorge bonuses, other incentive-based or equity-based compensation and profits on sales of company stock that they receive within the 12-month period following the public release of financial information if there is a restatement because of material noncompliance, due to misconduct, with financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws.
The Company will continue to monitor applicable rule-making actions of the SEC in order to meet any future clawback requirements.
Employment Agreements
In connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, we entered into employment agreements with Mr. Eifler and certain other officers. Messrs. Eifler, Barker, Turcotte, Kawaja and Denton are each party to an employment agreement with the Company, each effective as of February 5, 2021 (the “Effective Date”). Each employment agreement has a term commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that on such third anniversary and on each annual anniversary thereafter, the employment term will be automatically extended for an additional year, unless at least 90 days prior to such anniversary either party gives notice that the employment term shall not be so extended.
Pursuant to the employment agreements, each executive will be paid (i) an annual base salary, subject to increases as provided from the Board from time to time; (ii) an annual bonus; and (iii) standard employee benefits, including vacation, sick leave and other benefits consistent with company policies. The executives will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of services under their respective employment agreements, including, but not limited to, travel expenses. Each employment agreement contains confidentiality, non-solicitation and cooperation provisions. Mr. Eifler’s employment was amended on March 9, 2021 to also include a 12-month non-competition provision.
In the event any of Messrs. Eifler, Barker or Turcotte are terminated without cause or resign for good reason, they are entitled to a severance payment equal to (i) 24 months of their annual base salary and annual target bonus, (ii) the cost of 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage, (iii) the annual bonus for the previous year, to the extent not yet paid, (iv) a pro rata bonus for the year of separation, and (v) six months of outplacement services. If their termination without cause or resignation for good reason occurs in connection with a change in control, then they are entitled to an additional 12 months of annual base salary and annual target bonus. In exchange for receiving severance, whether or not in connection with a change of control, the executives must sign a release agreement and be subject to certain restrictive covenants, including 12 months of not soliciting business from Noble’s or its affiliates’ customers and 24 months of not soliciting any other employees to leave Noble or its affiliates. Mr. Eifler’s 12-month non-competition restriction prohibits him from providing certain services to, or in any way engaging in, any business which is primarily engaged in contract drilling services for offshore oil and gas wells and that competes with Noble or its affiliates anywhere in the world.
In the event any of Messrs. Kawaja or Denton are terminated without cause, they are entitled to a severance payment equal to (i) six months of their annual base salary and fifty percent of their annual target bonus, (ii) the cost of 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage, (iii) the annual bonus for the previous year, to the extent not yet paid (iv) a pro rata bonus for the year of separation, and (v) six months of outplacement services. If their termination without cause occurs in connection with a change in control, or if they resign for good reason in connection with a change in control, they will receive the benefits listed above, except that instead of receiving six months of their annual base salary and fifty percent of their annual target bonus, they will receive 12 months of annual base salary and their full annual target bonus. In exchange for receiving severance, whether or not in connection with a change of control, the executives must sign a release agreement and be subject to certain restrictive covenants, including 12 months of not soliciting business from Noble’s or its affiliates customers and 24 months of not soliciting any other employees to leave Noble or its affiliates.
In the event any of the executives’ employment is terminated as a result of their death or disability, they are entitled to the annual bonus for the previous year, to the extent not yet paid, and vested amounts or benefits under any plan, program, or agreement.
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Additionally, the employment agreements provide that if any portion of the payments or benefits provided in connection with a change in control (whether or not pursuant to an employment agreement) becomes subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, then the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent such reduction would result in a greater after-tax benefit to the executive.
Impact of Accounting and Tax Treatments of Compensation
As a result of tax reform that became effective on January 1, 2018, future grants of performance awards no longer qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Section 162(m) of the Code limits the annual tax deduction to US $1 million for compensation paid by a publicly held company to its chief executive officer, its chief financial officer, and each of the company's three other most highly compensated named executive officers. Although the deductibility of compensation is a consideration evaluated by the compensation committee, the compensation committee believes that the lost deduction on compensation payable in excess of the US $1 million limitation is not material relative to the benefit of being able to attract and retain talented management. We have also awarded compensation that might not be fully tax deductible when such grants were nonetheless in the best interest of us and our stockholders. Accordingly, the compensation committee will continue to retain the discretion to pay compensation that is subject to the US $1 million deductibility limit.
Conclusion
We believe our compensation program’s components and levels are appropriate for our industry and provide a direct link to enhancing shareholder value and advancing the core principles of our compensation philosophy and objectives to ensure the long-term success of our Company. We will continue to monitor current trends and issues in our industry, as well as the effectiveness of our program with respect to our NEOs, to properly consider and modify our program where and when appropriate.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Prior to the Effective Date, our compensation committee was comprised of Jon A. Marshall, Chair, Julie H. Edwards and Gordon T. Hall, and after the Effective Date, our committee was comprised of Melanie M. Trent, Chair, Alan J. Hirshberg and Charles M. Sledge. All of the directors who served as members of the compensation committee during 2021 were independent non-executive directors. None of the members of the compensation committee during 2021 has served as an officer or employee of the Company, and none of our executive officers has served as a member of a compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity which has an executive officer serving as a member of our Board.
Compensation Committee Report
The compensation committee’s primary task is to assist the Board in reviewing and setting executive officer and employee compensation, benefits and incentive and equity-based compensation plans. The compensation committee also assists in the preparation and review of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis which sets out the compensation philosophy and describes how compensation decisions support and implement our philosophy. The compensation committee consists entirely of independent directors and operates independently of management in consultation with its compensation consultant.
The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Annual Report. Based on such review and discussion, the compensation committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Melanie M. Trent, Chair
Alan J. Hirshberg
Charles M. Sledge

    
    March 11, 2022
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2021 Compensation Information
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation of our NEOs during 2021 pursuant to the applicable rules of the SEC.
Name and Principal PositionYearSalary
Bonus (1)
Stock Awards (2)(3)
Option Awards
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (5)
All Other CompensationTotal
Robert W. Eifler: President and Chief Executive Officer
2021$800,000 $— $23,298,341 $— $1,179,200 $— $8,600 
(8)
$25,286,141 
2020$560,534 $1,545,200 $1,114,516 $— $1,637,700 $— $24,336 
(8)
$4,882,286 
2019$360,417 $— $683,038 $— $399,000 $— $40,062 
(8)
$1,482,517 
Richard B. Barker: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2021$475,000 $— $6,395,905 $— $477,375 $— $5,888 
(9)
$7,354,168 
2020$360,361 $1,630,000 $180,000 $— $686,250 $— $2,975 
(9)
$2,859,586 
William E. Turcotte: Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
2021$470,000 $— $4,958,623 $— $440,860 $— $6,687 
(10)
$5,876,170 
2020$470,000 $1,195,000 $440,323 $— $604,000 $— $21,498 
(10)
$2,730,821 
2019$469,167 $— $1,044,653 $— $493,500 $— $33,354 
(10)
$2,040,674 
Joey M. Kawaja: Vice President of Operations (6)
2021$330,000 $— $2,874,564 $— $265,320 $— 
(14)
$8,870 
(11)
$3,478,754 
2020$280,167 $323,775 $110,081 $— $188,025 $90,760 $14,003 
(11)
$1,006,811 
Blake A. Denton: Vice President, Marketing and Contracts
2021$300,000 $— $2,874,564 $— $241,200 $— $8,333 
(12)
$3,424,097 
Julie J. Robertson: Former Executive Chairman; former President and Chief Executive Officer (7)
2021$51,283 $— $— $— $— $— 
(14)
$8,743,835 
(13)
$8,795,118 
2020$649,388 $— $1,322,559 $— $500,000 $839,291 $3,910,781 
(13)
$7,222,019 
2019$882,083 $— $4,771,239 $— $1,947,000 $1,092,894 $255,428 
(13)
$8,948,644 
Note: Please see the footnotes below which apply to both the Summary Compensation Table and the additional table below.
On June 26, 2020, in response to the ongoing significant market uncertainty, the Board approved modifications to the Company’s overall compensation programs to more appropriately retain and motivate its key employees during a period of uncertainty and increased workload, In addition, the Board undertook other measures including adopting the Restated 2021 STIP and the OCAP. These awards, as well as 2019 retention awards, Mr. Eifler’s inducement award and Mr. Barker’s onboarding awards, were paid in July 2020 but remained subject to repayment per the terms of the agreements. The following amounts were paid in July 2020 and are reflected in the table above.
Name
OCAP Retention (1)
Other Retention (1)
Intended Value of Stock Awards (2)
2021 STIP (3)
OCAP Performance (3)
July 2020 Cash Payments
Robert W. Eifler$895,200 $650,000 $1,000,000 $742,500 $895,200 $4,182,900 
Richard B. Barker$330,000 $1,300,000 $180,000 $356,250 $330,000 $2,496,250 
William E. Turcotte$275,000 $920,000 $440,400 $329,000 $275,000 $2,239,400 
Joey M. Kawaja$68,775 $255,000 $110,050 $119,250 $68,775 $621,850 
(1)The cash performance bonuses awarded under the STIP are disclosed in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan column.
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(2)Represents the grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718 including PVRSUs and TVRSUs emergence awards granted on February 19, 2021. With respect to PVRSUs, amounts are based on probable achievement level of the underlying performance conditions as of the grant date. See “Note 9—Equity” of the Original Filing for a description of the assumptions made in our valuation of restricted stock units and stock option awards. In July 2020, the awards were cancelled and the intended value of the awards was paid in cash, subject to certain clawback obligations. As the conditions of retaining the awards were achieved, the awards are not subject to repayment..
(3)The Driller Peer Group used as a benchmark for 2019 and 2020 PVRSU awards or performance vested cash incentive awards in lieu of PVRSUs included Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. Transocean Ltd., Valaris plc, and Seadrill. We used the Driller Peer Group to measure our performance for the vesting of performance based long-term equity incentives prior to our filing for Chapter 11.
(4)The cash performance bonuses awarded under the STIP.
(5)The amounts in this column represent the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of each NEO’s accumulated benefit under the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan and the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan for the year. There are no deferred compensation earnings reported in this column, as the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plans do not provide above-market or preferential earnings on deferred compensation,
(6)Mr. Kawaja, who formerly served as Regional Manager of the Americas, was appointed Vice President of Operations of the Company effective October 7, 2020.
(7)Effective as of the close of the Company’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 21, 2020, Ms. Robertson stepped down from her positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and transitioned to the position of Executive Chairman, and Mr. Eifler, who formerly served as Senior Vice President - Commercial, succeeded Ms. Robertson as President and Chief Executive Officer. On February 5, 2021, when the Company successfully completed its financial restructuring and the Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases, Ms. Robertson retired from her position as Executive Chairman. Ms. Robertson did not receive any equity awards in 2021 or hold any equity awards at the time of her termination.
(8)The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) ($4,000 for 2021), the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($13,897 for 2020, and $15,618 for 2019), foreign tax payments in connection with a former expatriate assignment ($297 for 2020, and $17,109 for 2019), and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance and for tax preparation services.
(9)The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) ($2,951 for 2021), the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($1,166 for 2020) and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance.
(10)The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) ($3,525 for 2021), the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($17,350 for 2020, and $17,200 for 2019), dividend equivalents ($11,353 for 2019), and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance.
(11)The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) ($5,775 for 2021), the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($11,908 for 2020), and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance.
(12)The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($5,250), and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance.
(13)For 2021, the amount in the All Other Compensation column includes two retirement plan distributions one on August 13, 2021 in the amount of $3,473,135 from the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan and the other on September 1, 2021 in the amount of $5,208,388 from The Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan; vacation payment of $57,691, tax preparation fees of $4,319, and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance. The amount in the All Other Compensation column includes $3,850,000 payable pursuant to a Transition Agreement entered into with Julie J. Robertson in connection with her transition to the position of Executive Chairman (the “Transition Agreement”), Company contributions to the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan ($22,700 for 2020, and $22,300 for 2019), foreign tax payments $20,796 for 2020, and $194,898 for 2019), dividend equivalents ($20,086 for 2019), and premiums paid by the Company for life, AD&D, long term disability, and business travel and accident insurance and for tax preparation services.
(14)Pension and nonqualified deferred compensation accounts incurred losses during 2021 as follows: Mr. Kawaja - ($61,243) and Ms. Robertson - ($6,450,903).
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth certain information about grants of plan-based awards during the year ended December 31, 2021 to each of the NEOs. In connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, on the Effective Date, all existing equity of our Predecessor was cancelled, including all outstanding restricted stock awards for each NEO. For a description of the material terms of the awards reported in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, including performance-based conditions and vesting schedules applicable to such awards, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — How Compensation Components Are Determined.”
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
All Other Stock Awards: Number of shares of Stock or Units (#)(3)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards (4)
NameGrant Date
Target ($)(1)
ThresholdTargetMaximum
Robert W. Eifler2/19/2021$880,000 374,451 748,902 1,497,804 499,268 — $— $23,298,341 
Richard B. Barker2/19/2021$356,250 102,795 205,590 411,180 137,060 — $— $6,395,905 
William E. Turcotte2/19/2021$329,000 79,695 159,390 318,780 106,260 — $— $4,958,623 
Joey M. Kawaja2/19/2021$198,000 46,200 92,400 184,800 61,600 — $— $2,874,564 
Blake A. Denton2/19/2021$180,000 46,200 92,400 184,800 61,600 — $— $2,874,564 
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(1)Represents the dollar value of the target amount of Performance Bonuses awarded under the STIP. The Performance Bonus awarded to the NEOs under the STIP is set forth in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Represents the number of PVRSUs awarded during the year ended December 31, 2021 under the 2021 Noble Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan. Threshold equals 50% of target and maximum equals 200% of target.
(3)Represents the number of TVRSUs awarded during the year ended December 31, 2021 under the 2021 Noble Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan. TVRSUs vested over three years, with one-third vesting per year on each anniversary of the grant date.
(4)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information about outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2021 held by the NEOs. In connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, on the Effective Date, all existing equity of our Predecessor was cancelled, including all outstanding restricted stock awards for each NEO.
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(2)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Share Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(3)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Share Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4)
Robert W. Eifler499,268 $8,207,966 748,902 $15,090,375 
Richard B. Barker137,060 $2,253,266 205,590 $4,142,639 
William E. Turcotte106,260 $1,746,914 159,390 $3,211,709 
Joey M. Kawaja61,600 $1,012,704 92,400 $1,861,860 
Blake A. Denton61,600 $1,012,704 92,400 $1,861,860 
(1)Total number of TVRSUs emergence grant in February 2021.
(2)The grant date value of TVRSUs.
(3)Total number of PVRSUs emergence grant in February 2021.
(4)The grant date value of PVRSUs
.Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth certain information about the amounts received upon the exercise of options or the vesting of restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2021 for each of the NEOs on an aggregated basis. As noted above, all existing equity of our Predecessor was canceled in connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, including all then outstanding equity awards for each NEO. None of the post-emergence PVRSUs and TVRSUs vested in 2021.
Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)Value Realized on Exercise ($)Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)Value Realized on Vesting ($)
Robert W. Eifler— $— — $— 
Julie J. Robertson— $— — $— 
Richard B. Barker— $— — $— 
William E. Turcotte— $— — $— 
Joey M. Kawaja— $— — $— 
Barry M. Smith— $— — $— 
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Retirement Payments and Benefits
The following table sets forth certain information about retirement payments and benefits under Noble’s defined benefit plans for each of the NEOs that are participants in the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan and the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan.
NamePlan Name
Number of Years Credited Service (#)(1)
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(1)(2)
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)
Joey M. KawajaSalaried Employees’ Retirement Plan18.5 $369,497 $— 
Julie J. RobertsonSalaried Employees’ Retirement Plan28.0 $1,597,019 $— 
(1)Computed as of December 31, 2021, which is the same pension plan measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes for our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Original Filing.
(2)For purposes of calculating the amounts in this column, retirement age was assumed to be the normal retirement age of 65, as defined in the Noble Services Company LLC. Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan. A description of the valuation method and all material assumptions applied in quantifying the present value of accumulated benefit is set forth in Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements in the Original Filing.
Noble Retirement Plans
Under the Noble Drilling Services Inc. Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan, which became the Noble Services Company LLC Employees’ Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2021, the normal retirement date is the date that the participant attains the age of 65. The plan covers salaried employees but excludes certain categories of salaried employees including any employees hired after July 31, 2004. A participant’s date of hire is the date such participant first performs an hour of service for the Company or its subsidiaries, regardless of any subsequent periods of employment or periods of separation from employment with the Company or its subsidiaries.
A participant who is employed by the Company or any of its affiliated companies on or after his or her normal retirement date (the date that the participant attains the age of 65) is eligible for a normal retirement pension upon the earlier of his or her required beginning date or the date of termination of his or her employment for any reason other than death or transfer to the employment of another of the Company’s affiliated companies. Required beginning date is defined in the plan generally to mean the April 1 of the calendar year following the later of the calendar year in which a participant attains the age of 72 years or the calendar year in which the participant commences a period of severance, which (with certain exceptions) commences with the date a participant ceases to be employed by the Company or any of its affiliated companies for reasons of retirement, death, being discharged or voluntarily ceasing employment, or with the first anniversary of the date of his or her absence for any other reason.
The normal retirement pension accrued under the plan is in the form of an annuity which provides for a payment of a level monthly retirement income to the participant for life, and in the event the participant dies prior to receiving 120 monthly payments, the same monthly amount will continue to be paid to the participant’s designated beneficiary until the total number of monthly payments equals 120. In lieu of the normal form of payment, the participant may elect to receive one of the other optional forms of payment provided in the plan, each such option being the actuarial equivalent of the normal form. These optional forms of payment include a single lump-sum (if the present value of the participant’s vested accrued benefit under the plan does not exceed $10,000), a single life annuity and several forms of joint and survivor elections.
The benefit under the plan is equal to:
one percent of the participant’s average monthly compensation multiplied times the number of years of benefit service (maximum 30 years), plus six-tenths of one percent of the participant’s average monthly compensation in excess of one-twelfth of his or her average amount of earnings which may be considered wages under section 3121(a) of the Code, in effect for each calendar year during the 35-year period ending with the last day of the calendar year in which a participant attains (or will attain) social security retirement age, multiplied by the number of years of benefit service (maximum 30 years).
The average monthly compensation is defined in the plan generally to mean the participant’s average monthly rate of compensation from the Company for the 60 consecutive calendar months that give the highest average monthly rate of compensation for the participant. In the plan, compensation is defined (with certain exceptions) to mean the total taxable income of a participant during a given calendar month, including basic compensation, bonuses, commissions and overtime pay, but excluding extraordinary payments and special payments (such as moving expenses, benefits provided under any employee benefit program and stock options and SARs). Compensation includes salary reduction contributions by the participant under any plan maintained by the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Compensation may not exceed the annual compensation limit as specified by the IRS for the given plan year. Any compensation in excess of this limit is taken into account in
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computing the benefits payable under the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan, formerly the Noble Drilling Services Inc. Retirement Restoration Plan. The Company has not granted extra years of credited service under the restoration plan to any of the NEOs.
Early retirement can be elected at the time after which the participant has attained the age of 55 and has completed at least five years of service (or for a participant on or before January 1, 1986, when he or she has completed 20 years of covered employment). A participant will be eligible to commence early retirement benefits upon the termination of his or her employment with the Company or its subsidiaries prior to the date that the participant attains the age of 65 for any reason other than death or transfer to employment with another of the Company’s subsidiaries. The formula used in determining an early retirement benefit reduces the accrued monthly retirement income by multiplying the amount of the accrued monthly retirement income by a percentage applicable to the participant’s age as of the date such income commences being paid.
If a participant’s employment terminates for any reason other than retirement, death or transfer to the employment of another of the Company’s subsidiaries and the participant has completed at least five years of service, the participant is eligible for a deferred vested pension. The deferred vested pension for the participant is the monthly retirement income commencing on the first day of the month coinciding with or next following his or her normal retirement date. If the participant has attained the age of 55 and has completed at least five years of service or if the actuarial present value of the participant’s accrued benefit is more than $5,000 but less than $10,000, the participant may elect to receive a monthly retirement income that is computed in the same manner as the monthly retirement income for a participant eligible for an early retirement pension. If the participant dies before benefits are payable under the plan, the surviving spouse or, if the participant is not survived by a spouse, the beneficiary designated by the participant, is eligible to receive a monthly retirement income for life, commencing on the first day of the month next following the date of the participant’s death. The monthly income payable to the surviving spouse or the designated beneficiary shall be the monthly income for life that is the actuarial equivalent of the participant’s accrued benefit under the plan.
The Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified plan that provides the benefits under the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan’s benefit formula that cannot be provided by the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan because of the annual compensation and annual benefit limitations applicable to the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan under the Code. A participant’s benefit under the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan that was accrued and vested on December 31, 2004 will be paid to such participant (or, in the event of his or her death, to his or her designated beneficiary) at the time benefits commence being paid to or with respect to such participant under the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan, and will be paid in a single lump sum payment, in installments over a period of up to five years or in a form of payment provided for under the Noble Services Company LLC Salaried Employees’ Retirement Plan (such form of distribution to be determined by the committee appointed to administer the plan). A participant’s benefit under the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan that accrued or became vested after December 31, 2004 will be paid to such participant (or in the event of his or her death, to his or her designated beneficiary) in a single lump sum payment following such participant’s separation from service with the Company and its subsidiaries. Ms. Robertson participated in the Noble Services Company LLC Retirement Restoration Plan.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, Noble approved amendments, effective as of December 31, 2016, to the defined benefit plans. With these amendments, employees and alternate payees will accrue no future benefits under the plans after December 31, 2016. However, these amendments will not affect any benefits earned through that date. Benefits for the affected plans are primarily based on years of service and employees’ compensation near December 31, 2016.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2021 for the NEOs who are participants in the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan, which was approved for termination on November 30, 2022.
Name (1)
Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) (2)
Company Contributions in Last FY ($) (3)
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY ($)
Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions ($)(4)
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($)
Robert W. Eifler$— $— $20,367 $— $143,489 
Blake Denton$125 $— $197 $— $1,675 
Julie J. Robertson$— $— $476,738 $3,473,135 $408,949 
(1)Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan participants are included on this table.
(2)The Executive Contributions reported in this column are also included in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)The Company Contributions reported in this column are also included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(4)Ms. Robertson’s distribution was made on August 13, 2021.
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The Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan (which applies to compensation deferred by a participant that was vested prior to January 1, 2005) and the Noble Services Company LLC 2009 401(k) Savings Restoration Plan (which applies to employer matching contributions and to compensation that was either deferred by a participant or became vested on or after January 1, 2005) are nonqualified, unfunded employee benefit plans. Under the 401(k) Savings Restoration Plans, certain specified employees of the Company and its subsidiaries could elect to defer compensation in excess of amounts deferrable under the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan and, subject to certain limitations specified in the plan, could receive employer matching contributions in cash. The employer matching amount is determined in the same manner as are employer matching contributions under the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan. Effective June 1, 2020, the Company discontinued matching contributions, and effective March 1, 2021, the Company reinstated the matching contributions at the rate of $0.70 to $1.00 contributed (up to 3% of base pay).
Compensation considered for deferral under these nonqualified plans consists of cash compensation payable by an employer, defined in the plan to mean certain subsidiaries of the Company, to a participant in the plan for personal services rendered to such employer prior to reduction for any pre-tax contributions made by such employer and prior to reduction for any compensation reduction amounts elected by the participant for benefits, but excluding allowances, commissions, deferred compensation payments and any other extraordinary compensation. For each plan year, participants are able to defer up to 19 percent of their basic compensation for the plan year, all or any portion of any bonus otherwise payable by an employer for the plan year, and for plan years commencing prior to January 1, 2009, the applicable 401(k) amount. The applicable 401(k) amount is defined to mean, for a participant for a plan year, an amount equal to the participant’s basic compensation for such plan year, multiplied by the contribution percentage that is in effect for such participant under the Noble Services Company LLC 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan for the plan year, reduced by the lesser of (i) the applicable dollar amount set forth in Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code for such year or (ii) the dollar amount of any Noble Services Company LLC contribution limitation for such year imposed by the compensation committee.
Potential Payments on Termination or Change of Control
Employment Agreements in Effect at December 31, 2021
The change of control agreements that were in place prior to the Effective Date were terminated in connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases. The employment agreements in place as of December 31, 2021 are described above in the “Employment Agreements” section. As noted in that section, the employment agreements provide that if any portion of the payments or benefits provided in connection with a change in control (whether or not pursuant to an employment agreement) becomes subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, then the payments and benefits will be reduced to the extent such reduction would result in a greater after-tax benefit to the executive. None of our NEOs would be subject to a reduction based on the assumptions in the table below.
In the employment agreements, a “change of control” is generally defined as:
the acquisition of more than 50 percent of either of the Company’s outstanding shares or combined voting power of outstanding voting securities, but excluding any acquisition by the Investment Manager or its affiliates (other than portfolio companies), from the Company or by the Company, or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any company controlled by the Company, or any acquisition by any corporation under a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation if the conditions described below in the third bullet point below are satisfied;
individuals who constituted the incumbent board of directors (as defined in the agreement) of the Company ceased for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors;
consummation of a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company, unless following such a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation 50 percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of the company resulting from such transaction and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors were then beneficially owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding shares immediately prior to such transaction in substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately prior to such transaction; or,
consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a company, for which following such sale or other disposition, 50 percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of such company and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors were then beneficially owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding shares immediately prior to such sale or other disposition of assets.
However, a “change of control” would not occur as a result of a transaction if (i) in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, or any subsequent in or out of court reorganization (whether chapter 11 or otherwise); (ii) if the Company became a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and immediately following, either (A) the shareholdings for such holding company immediately following such transaction were the same as the shareholdings immediately prior to such transaction or (B) the shares of the Company’s voting securities
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outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constituted, or were converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such holding company immediately after giving effect to such transaction; or (iii) where payments are benefits are considered nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and payment is affected by or due upon a “change in control” and such transaction does not constitute a “change in control” as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.
The table below sets forth the potential payments to our named executive officers if their employment with the Company had terminated or a change in control had occurred, in each case, as of December 31, 2021.
NEODeath or DisabilityRetirementTermination without CauseResignation for Good ReasonTermination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason After Change in Control
Robert W. Eifler
Severance Payment$— $— $3,360,000 
(1)
$3,360,000 
(1)
$5,040,000 
(2)
Pro Rata Bonus1,179,200 
(3)
— 1,179,200 
(3)
1,179,200 
(3)
1,179,200 
(3)
Welfare Benefit Continuation— — 36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
Outplacement Services— — 50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards21,358,450 
(6)
— 27,091,787 
(6)
27,091,787 
(6)
32,825,123 
(6)
Richard B. Barker
Severance Payment— — 1,662,500 
(1)
1,662,500 
(1)
2,493,750 
(2)
Pro Rata Bonus477,375 
(3)
— 477,375 
(3)
477,375 
(3)
477,375 
(3)
Welfare Benefit Continuation— — 36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
Outplacement Services— — 50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards5,863,363 
(6)
— 5,863,363 
(6)
5,863,363 
(6)
9,011,216 
(6)
William E. Turcotte
Severance Payment— — 1,598,000 
(1)
1,598,000 
(1)
2,397,000 
(2)
Pro Rata Bonus440,860 
(3)
— 440,860 
(3)
440,860 
(3)
440,860 
(3)
Welfare Benefit Continuation— — — — — 
Outplacement Services— — 50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards4,545,753 
(6)
4,545,753 
(6)
4,545,753 
(6)
4,545,753 
(6)
6,986,223 
(6)
Joey M. Kawaja
Severance Payment— — 264,000 
(7)
264,000 
(7)
528,000 
(8)
Pro Rata Bonus265,320 
(3)
— 265,320 
(3)
265,320 
(3)
265,320 
(3)
Welfare Benefit Continuation— — 36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
Outplacement Services— — 50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards2,635,219 
(6)
— 2,635,219 
(6)
2,635,219 
(6)
4,049,984 
(6)
Blake A. Denton
Severance Payment— — 240,000 
(7)
240,000 
(7)
480,000 
(8)
Pro Rata Bonus241,200 
(3)
— 241,200 
(3)
241,200 
(3)
241,200 
(3)
Welfare Benefit Continuation— — 36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
36,567 
(4)
Outplacement Services— — 50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
50,000 
(5)
Accelerated Vesting of Equity Awards2,635,219 
(6)
— 2,635,219 
(6)
2,635,219 
(6)
4,049,984 
(6)
(1)If Messrs. Eifler’s, Barker’s or Turcotte’s employment was terminated by us without cause or by them for good reason (not in connection with a change in control), they would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 2 times (a) their base salary and (b) their target annual bonus.
(2)If Messrs. Eifler’s, Barker’s or Turcotte’s employment was terminated by us without cause or by them for good reason (in connection with a change in control), they would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 3 times (a) their base salary and (b) their target annual bonus.
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(3)If any of our named executive officer’s employment was terminated as a result of their death, disability, by us without cause (whether or not in connection with a change in control) or by them for good reason (for Messrs. Eifler, Barker and Turcotte, whether or not in connection with a change in control and for Messrs. Denton and Kawaja only in connection with a change in control), pursuant to their employment agreements, they would have been entitled to receive their actual annual bonus, or their target annual bonus in the event of death, for the year of termination, prorated based on the number of days employed during the calendar year. This table assumes that their actual annual bonus paid for 2021.
(4)If any of our named executive officers employment was terminated by us without cause (whether or not in connection with a change in control) or by them for good reason (for Messrs. Eifler, Barker and Turcotte, whether or not in connection with a change in control and for Messrs. Denton and Kawaja only in connection with a change in control), pursuant to their employment agreements, they would have been entitled to receive 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage under our group health plan in effect at the time of their termination. Mr. Turcotte does not participate in our group health plan and therefore would not receive COBRA continuation thereunder.
(5)If any of our named executive officers employment was terminated by us without cause (whether or not in connection with a change in control) or by them for good reason (for Messrs. Eifler, Barker and Turcotte, whether or not in connection with a change in control and for Messrs. Denton and Kawaja only in connection with a change in control), pursuant to their employment agreements, they would have been entitled to receive reimbursement for outplacement services for six months following termination, up to $50,000.
(6)Represents the value of TVRSUs and PVRSUs that would vest upon each applicable termination scenario. These amounts are detailed in the narrative and table immediately below in the “Noble Incentive Plan” section.
(7)If Messrs. Denton’s or Kawaja’s employment was terminated by us without cause (not in connection with a change in control), they would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 0.5 times (a) their base salary and (b) their target annual bonus.
(8) If Messrs. Denton’s or Kawaja’s employment was terminated by us without cause or by them for good reason (in connection with a change in control), they would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 1 times (a) their base salary and (b) their target annual bonus. Represents an estimate of the costs to the Company of outplacement services for six months.
The Noble Incentive Plan
Following the Effective Date, we granted TVRSUs and PVRSUs to our NEOs, each of which continued to be subject to vesting restrictions as of December 31, 2021.
The TVRSU award agreements provide that, upon the termination of any of the NEOs’ employment due to disability, death, retirement, by the company without “cause” or by the NEO for “good reason”, all outstanding TVRSUs will vest.
The PVRSU award agreements provide that, upon the termination of any of the NEO’s employment due to disability, death or retirement, the PVRSUs will vest will vest based upon (1) actual performance for those PVRSUs where an interim performance period has occurred or for which actual performance has been determined to have been achieved and (2) target performance for those PVRSUs that have not reached an interim performance period or for which actual performance cannot be determined, with such amount in clause (2) prorated based on number of calendar months the NEO is employed during the performance period over a total of 35 months. Upon a termination of our CEO’s employment by the company without “cause” or by our CEO for “good reason”, his PVRSUs will vest based on the greater of actual performance achieved or target performance, with any PVRSUs where an interim performance period has not occurred or for which actual performance cannot be determined prorated based on the number of calendar months he is employed during the performance period plus an additional twelve months over a total of 35 months. Upon a termination of our other NEOs employment by the company without “cause” or for “good reason,” their PVRSUs will vest based on actual performance, with any PVRSUs where an interim performance period has not occurred or for which actual performance cannot be determined prorated based on the number of calendar months they were employed during the performance period over 35 months. If such termination without “cause” or for “good reason” occurs within 12 months following a change in control, our NEOs’ PVRSUs will vest based upon (a) for those PVRSUs where an interim performance period has occurred and for which actual performance can be determined, the greater of actual or target performance for our CEO, and actual performance for our other NEOs and (b) where an interim performance period has not occurred and for which actual performance cannot be determined, target performance for those PVRSUs for all of our NEOs.
The PVRSU award agreements generally define a “change in control” as:
the acquisition in a transaction, or series of transactions over 18 months, of more than 50 percent of either of the Company’s outstanding shares or combined voting power of outstanding voting securities but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any company controlled by the Company, or any acquisition by any company following a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation if the conditions described below in the third bullet point below are satisfied;
individuals who constituted the incumbent board of directors of the Company ceased for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors;
consummation of a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company, unless following such a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation (1) the sum of the shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of then outstanding voting securities resulting from such transaction that are issued to or retained by shareholders of any company part to such transaction, other than the Company, is less than the shares of common stock or combined voting power of then outstanding voting securities, as applicable, issued to or retained by holders of any shares of
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the Company issued in another reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation the was consummated within 18 months prior; (2) no person, other than the Company or any person beneficially owning as of the effective date of the PVRSU award agreement 25 percent or more of the outstanding shares or outstanding voting securities, beneficially owned 25 percent or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of the company resulting from such transaction or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (3) a majority of the members of the board of directors of the company resulting from such transaction were members of the incumbent board of directors of the Company at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such transaction;
consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a company, for which following such sale or other disposition, (i) more than 50 percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of such company and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors were then beneficially owned by all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding shares immediately prior to such sale or other disposition of assets, (ii) no person, other than the Company or any person beneficially owning immediately prior to such transaction 15 percent or more of the outstanding shares, beneficially owned 15 percent or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of such company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, and (iii) a majority of the members of the board of directors of such company were members of the incumbent board of directors of the Company at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such sale or other disposition of assets; or
approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
However, a “change of control” would not occur as a result of a transaction if (i) the Company became a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii) either (A) the shareholdings for such holding company immediately following such transaction were the same as the shareholdings immediately prior to such transaction or (B) the shares of the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constituted, or were converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such holding company immediately after giving effect to such transaction.
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The table below sets forth the number and value of TVRSUs and PVRSUs that would have vested on December 31, 2021 based on the various termination scenarios described above.
Death or DisabilityRetirementTermination without CauseResignation for Good ReasonTermination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason After Change in Control
($)($)($)($)($)
Robert W. Eifler
TVRSUs (1)
12,386,839 — 12,386,839 12,386,839 12,386,839 
PVRSUs (2)
8,971,611 — 14,704,948 14,704,948 20,438,284 
Richard B. Barker
TVRSUs (1)
3,400,459 — 3,400,459 3,400,459 3,400,459 
PVRSUs (2)
2,462,904 — 2,462,904 2,462,904 5,610,757 
William E. Turcotte
TVRSUs (1)
2,636,311 2,636,311 2,636,311 2,636,311 2,636,311 
PVRSUs (2)
1,909,442 1,909,442 1,909,442 1,909,442 4,349,912 
Joey M. Kawaja
TVRSUs (1)
1,528,296 — 1,528,296 1,528,296 1,528,296 
PVRSUs (2)
1,106,923 — 1,106,923 1,106,923 2,521,688 
Blake A. Denton
TVRSUs (1)
1,528,296 — 1,528,296 1,528,296 1,528,296 
PVRSUs (2)
1,106,923 — 1,106,923 1,106,923 2,521,688 
(1)Based on the number of TVRSUs that would vest in connection with the termination of any of our NEOs’ employment due to death, disability, retirement, by us without cause or by the NEO for good reason (whether or not in connection with a change in control). Mr. Turcotte is the only retirement-eligible NEO.
(2)Based on the number of PVRSUs that would vest in connection with the termination of any of our NEOs’ employment due to death, disability, retirement, by us without cause or by the NEO for good reason (whether or not in connection with a change in control). Mr. Turcotte is the only retirement-eligible NEO.
CEO Pay Ratio
Pursuant to Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employee and the annual total compensation of our CEO, Robert Eifler.
For 2021, our last completed fiscal year:
The median of the annual total compensation of the employee of our company (other than the CEO) was $129,826; and
The annual total compensation of our CEO, Mr. Eifler, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included herein, was $25,286,142.
Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees (the “CEO Pay Ratio”) was reasonably estimated to be 195:1. We understand that the CEO pay ratio is intended to provide greater transparency to annual CEO pay and how it compares to the pay of the median employee. As such, we are providing a supplemental ratio that compares the CEO’s regular annual pay, excluding the special one-time emergence grant that was awarded to the CEO in 2021 in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy and including an annual equity award to the pay of the median-paid employee as we believe that this supplemental ratio reflects a more representative comparison. The resulting supplemental CEO pay ratio is 59:1, with the annual total compensation for the CEO equaling $7,587,807.
To calculate the CEO Pay Ratio, we identified the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as the annual total compensation of our median employee and our CEO. In order to make these determinations, we took the following steps:
We determined that, as of December 31, 2021 our employee population consisted of approximately 1,755 individuals globally. In calculating our “median employee,” we have excluded certain non-U.S. employees as permitted under SEC’s 5%
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“de minimis exemption.” Pursuant to this exemption, we have excluded twenty-one (21) employees in Australia, one (1) employee in Brazil, two (2) employees in Switzerland, two (2) employees in Luxembourg, two (2) employees in Guyana, three (3) employees in Malaysia, two (2) employees in Nigeria, and two (2) employees in Saudi Arabia. After these exclusions our employee population used in calculating the “median employee” was 1,719. This population also excluded third-party contractors and temporary workers. We used a consistently applied compensation measure to identify our 2021 “median employee” by comparing the amount of salary or wages, bonuses, equity and other income earned during 2021 and annualized the compensation for any full-time or part-time employees that were hired in 2021 but were not employed for all of 2021.
Using the “median employee” identified in 2021, we combined the elements of such employee’s compensation for the 2021 year in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, resulting in annual total compensation of $129,826. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2021 Summary Compensation Table included herein.
Please keep in mind that under the SEC’s rules and guidance, there are numerous ways to determine the compensation of a company’s median employee, including variations in the employee population sampled, the elements of pay and benefits used and assumptions made. In addition, no two companies have identical employee populations or compensation programs, and pay, benefits and retirement plans differ by country even within the same company. As such, our CEO Pay Ratio may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported by other companies, including our peer companies in the offshore drilling industry.
Director Compensation
The compensation committee of our Board recommends, and our Board approves, the compensation of our directors. In determining the appropriate level of compensation for our directors, the compensation committee and the Board consider the commitment required from our directors in performing their duties on behalf of the Company, as well as comparative information the committee obtains from compensation consulting firms and from other sources. Set forth below is a description of the compensation of our directors.
We compete with many companies to attract, motivate and retain experienced and highly capable individuals to serve as our directors. Moreover, the offshore drilling industry is a very complex, technical and international business in the energy sector, which we believe requires directors who understand and have experience in these particular areas. Although the difficult economic environment of the last few years has reduced our size (measured by market cap) relative to those we compete with for director talent, which are primarily oilfield service companies, our business is no less complex, technical or international, and we must attract and retain individuals of high ability to serve as directors.
Annual Retainers and Other Fees and Expenses
In 2021, we paid the non-employee directors of Legacy Noble an annual retainer of $25,000, in four quarterly installments. Non-employee directors could elect to receive all or a portion of the retainer in shares. In 2021, meeting fees were $2,000 per meeting of the Board and each committee thereof, except that fees for telephonic meetings were $1,000 per meeting for the meetings that exceeded 15 minutes, the annual retainer paid to our lead director was $22,500, the annual retainer paid to our audit and compensation committee chairpersons was $20,000, and the annual retainer for all other committee chairpersons was $10,000. These payments to the Legacy Noble ended upon our emergence in February 2021.
In connection with our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, our current Board approved a new compensation schedule for our directors for 2021. In line with current practice, the committee eliminated meetings fees and set annual cash retainers at $150,000 for the Board Chair, and $100,000 for the other non-employee directors paid in quarterly installments, in advance. We pay additional annual retainers to our Committee chairs: audit ($30,000), and the compensation and nominating, governance and sustainability ($20,000), and each other committee member ($10,000). For a portion of 2021, the Board approved additional fees of $20,000 per month for the Finance Committee members and $5,000 per month for all other non-employee directors due to the significant merger and acquisition activity and resulting workload of the Board.
We also reimburse directors for travel, lodging and related expenses they may incur in attending Board and committee meetings, and for related activities in connection with their duties as directors. Our directors do not receive any additional compensation from the Company in the form of retirement or deferred compensation plans or otherwise.
Annual Equity Grants
In order to better align the interests of our directors and our shareholders, we have historically made an annual equity grant to our non-employee directors. All equity awards to non-employee directors prior to our emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases were made under the Noble Corporation plc 2017 Director Omnibus Plan (the “Legacy Noble Director Plan”) (other than shares issued to pay the quarterly retainer) and were subject to a one-year vesting period.
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During 2021, each non-employee director of Legacy Noble received a $175,000 cash award in lieu of an equity award due to the decrease in share price, which created an insufficient pool of shares available for awards.
As of the Effective Date, each new non-employee director received an equity grant. As with the Emergence Grants for the executives, the Emergence Grant equity awards for the non-employee directors were made using a price per share of $13.46, which was based on a third-party analysis of implied market prices observed immediately prior to emergence, and in consultation with our creditors. The price per share reflected in our accounting records was $16.44, which resulted in with a value of $452,000 for the Board Chairman and $391,000 for each of the other non-employee emergence directors that will vest pro rata over three years. Mr. Aronzon received an equity award with a value of $180,000 upon joining the board in April of 2021.
Director Compensation for 2021
The following table shows the compensation of the non-employee directors of Noble for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)
Stock Awards (2)
All Other Compensation
Total (3)
Paul Aronzon (4)
$203,736 $179,382 $— $383,118 
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr.$246,389 $390,845 $— $637,234 
Alan J. Hirshberg$133,333 $390,845 $— $524,178 
Ann D. Pickard$135,383 $390,845 $— $526,228 
Charles M. Sledge$272,500 $451,919 $— $724,419 
Melanie M. Trent$142,361 $390,845 $— $533,206 
(1)Includes all retainer fees paid.
(2)Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards completed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3)Director total compensation varies based upon whether such director is a chairperson of a committee or the lead director.
(4)On April 19, 2021, Mr. Aronzon was appointed as a new Board member.
NameAggregate Number of Equity AwardsAggregate Number of Option Awards Outstanding
Paul Aronzon (1)
8,324— 
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr.23,774— 
Alan J. Hirshberg23,774— 
Ann D. Pickard23,774— 
Charles M. Sledge27,489— 
Melanie M. Trent23,774— 
(1)On April 19, 2021, Mr. Aronzon was appointed as a new Board member and this grant was based on a 1-year vesting as opposed to the 3-year vesting platform of the other grants.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2021 the Predecessor’s information regarding securities authorized for issuance under its equity compensation plans. All of the Predecessor's equity interests outstanding prior to the Effective Date, including equity awards under the Legacy Noble Incentive Plan and the Legacy Noble Director Plan (collectively, the “Legacy Incentive Plans”), were cancelled on the
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Effective Date in accordance with the Plan. As contemplated by the Plan, on February 18, 2021, the Company adopted the 2021 LTIP and authorized and reserved 7,716,049 Ordinary Shares for issuance pursuant to equity incentive awards to be granted under such plan.
Plan CategoryNumber of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
N/AN/A4,545,391 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)
N/AN/AN/A
TotalN/AN/A4,545,391 
(1)Includes the 2021 LTIP. No options or warrants have been granted to date to any NED’s or employees from the 2021 LTIP.
(2)As of December 31, 2021, we did not maintain any equity compensation plan that has not been approved by shareholders.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
As of March 1, 2022, we had 61,888,616 Ordinary Shares outstanding. The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2022, (1) the beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares by each of our directors, each NEO, and all current directors and executive officers as a group, and (2) information about the only persons who were known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of the Company’s outstanding Ordinary Shares. As used herein, warrants refers to the Tranche 1 Warrants, the Tranche 2 Warrants, the Tranche 3 Warrants and the Penny Warrants.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner
Number of Ordinary Shares (1)
Percent of Class
 Directors
Patrick J. Bartels, Jr.— *%
Robert W. Eifler100,791 *%
Alan J. Hirshberg7,925 *%
Ann D. Pickard7,925 *%
Charles M. Sledge9,163 *%
Melanie M. Trent7,925 *%
Paul Aronzon8,324 *%
Named Executive Officers (excluding any Director listed above):
Richard B. Barker27,510 *%
William E. Turcotte21,284 *%
Joey M. Kawaja12,230 *%
Blake A Denton12,225 *%
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)219,742 *%
5% or Greater Shareholders:
Investors for which Pacific Investment Management Company LLC serves as investment manager, adviser or sub-adviser (2)
25,531,373 40.8 %
GoldenTree Funds (3)
9,129,146 9.9 %
Investors for which Canyon Capital Advisors LLC serves as investment manager (4)
6,219,894 9.9 %
King Street Capital Management, L.P. (5)
4,286,905 6.7 %
*The percent of class shown is less than one percent unless otherwise indicated.
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(1)Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power over all shares listed. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Noble Corporation, 13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800, Sugar Land, Texas 77478.
(2)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022 by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (“PIMCO”). Such filing indicates that PIMCO has sole voting power with respect to 25,442,270 Ordinary Shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 25,531,373 Ordinary Shares. PIMCO, as the investment adviser of the investment advisory clients or discretionary accounts that are the holders of record of such securities, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power over such securities. Such filing also indicates that the aggregate amount of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the reporting person includes 625,826 warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares. The address for PIMCO is 650 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660.
(3)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2022 by GoldenTree Asset Management LP (the “GoldenTree Advisor”), GoldenTree Asset Management LLC (the “GoldenTree General Partner”) and Steven A. Tananbaum. Such filing indicates that the GoldenTree Advisor and the GoldenTree General Partner have shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 9,129,146 Ordinary Shares, and Mr. Tananbaum has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to 25,927 Ordinary Shares and shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 9,129,146 Ordinary Shares. Such filing also indicates that the aggregate amount of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the reporting persons include 3,601,104 Ordinary Shares and 5,528,042 Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of certain warrants held of record by certain managed accounts (collectively, the “GoldenTree Accounts”) for which the GoldenTree Advisor serves as investment manager. In addition, Mr. Tananbaum is the holder of record of 25,927 Ordinary Shares. Mr. Tananbaum is the managing member of the GoldenTree General Partner, which is the general partner of the GoldenTree Advisor. As a result of these relationships, each of the reporting persons may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities held of record by the GoldenTree Accounts. Pursuant to the terms of the warrants, the GoldenTree Advisor may exercise the warrants only to the extent that doing so would not result in the reporting persons becoming the beneficial owners of more than 9.9% of the then-outstanding Ordinary Shares, after accounting for the Ordinary Shares to be issued at the time of any such warrant exercise. The address for the reporting persons is 300 Park Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.
(4)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022 by Canyon Capital Advisors LLC (“CCA”), Joshua S. Friedman and Mitchell R. Julis. CCA is an investment advisor to various managed accounts, including Canyon Value Realization Fund, L.P., The Canyon Value Realization Master Fund (Cayman), L.P., Canyon Balanced Master Fund, Ltd., Canyon-GRF Master Fund II, L.P., EP Canyon Ltd., Canyon Distressed Opportunity Master Fund III, L.P., Canyon NZ-DOF Investing, L.P., Canyon-EDOF (Master) L.P., Canyon Blue Credit Investment Fund, L.P., Canyon Distressed TX L.P., Canyon Distressed TX (B) LLC and Canyon-ASP Fund, L.P., with the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt, of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the securities held by, such managed accounts. Messrs. Friedman and Julis control entities which own 100% of CCA. Such filing indicates that the reporting persons have sole voting power, sole dispositive power, shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 6,219,894 Ordinary Shares (including 2,667,802 warrants). Such filing also indicates that the number of Ordinary Shares owned includes both the Ordinary Shares previously issued and the Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants. As a result of provisions in the warrant agreements, certain beneficial owners of the Ordinary Shares do not have the right to exercise such warrants, to the extent that, after giving effect to the issuance of Ordinary Shares after such exercise, such beneficial owner (together with its affiliates and any other person whose Ordinary Shares would be aggregated with such beneficial owner under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC) would beneficially own in excess of 9.9% of the number of Ordinary Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such issuance. The reported number of Ordinary Shares includes the exercise of 2,667,802 warrants up to 9.9% of Ordinary Shares outstanding. Total warrants owned is 6,211,640. The address for the reporting persons is 2728 North Harwood Street, 2nd Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201.
(5)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2022 by King Street Capital Management, L.P. (“KSCM”), King Street Capital Management GP, L.L.C. (“KSCM GP”) and Brian J. Higgins. Such filing indicates that the reporting persons have shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 4,286,905 Ordinary Shares. Such filing also indicates that the aggregate amount of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the reporting persons includes 2,121,295 Ordinary Shares and 2,165,610 Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. KSCM, a registered investment advisor, is the investment manager of various fund entities. As investment manager, KSCM has sole voting and dispositive power over the Ordinary Shares reported in such filing. KSCM GP is the sole general partner of KSCM, and Mr. Higgins is the managing member of KSCM GP. The address for KSCM is 299 Park Avenue, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10171.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that:
(a) each of Mr. Aronzon, Mr. Bartels, Mr. Hirshberg, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Sledge, and Ms. Trent qualifies as an “independent” director under the NYSE corporate governance rules;
(b) each of Mr. Aronzon, Mr. Bartels, Ms. Pickard, and Mr. Sledge, constituting all the members of the audit committee, qualifies as “independent” under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act; and
(c) each of Ms. Trent, Mr. Hirshberg and Mr. Sledge, constituting all the members of the compensation committee, qualifies as:
(i) “independent” under Rule 10C-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act and the applicable rules of the NYSE; and
(ii) a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
Independent non-management directors comprise in full the membership of each committee of the Board described in Item 10 of this form 10-K/A “Corporate Governance— Board Committees.”
Mr. Eifler, our current President and Chief Executive Officer, is not independent because of his service as a member of our senior management.
In order for a director to be considered independent under the NYSE rules, our Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with the Company other than in his or her capacity as a director of the Company.
The Company’s corporate governance guidelines provide that a director will not be independent if,
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the director is, or during the preceding three years was, employed by the Company;
an immediate family member of the director is, or during the preceding three years was, an executive officer of the Company;
the director or an immediate family member of the director received, within any 12-month period during the preceding three years, more than $120,000 in direct compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such service is not contingent in any way on continued service);
the director is a current partner or employee of a firm that is the Company’s internal or external auditor, an immediately family member of the director is a current partner of such a firm, an immediate family member of the director is a current employee of such a firm and personally works on the Company audit, or the director or an immediate family member of the director was, during the preceding three years, a partner or employee of such a firm an personally worked on the Company’s audit within that time;
the director or an immediate family member of the director is, or during the preceding three years was, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of the Company’s present executives served on that company’s compensation committee at the same time; or
the director currently is an executive officer or an employee, or an immediate family member of the director is an executive officer, of a company that made payments to, or received payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year within the last three fiscal years, exceeded the greater of $1 million or two percent of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues.
The following will not be considered by our Board to be a material relationship that would impair a director’s independence—if a director is an executive officer of, or beneficially owns in excess of 10 percent equity interest in, another company:
that does business with the Company, and the amount of the annual payments to the Company is less than five percent of the annual consolidated gross revenues of the Company;
that does business with the Company, and the amount of the annual payments by the Company to such other company is less than five percent of the annual consolidated gross revenues of the Company; or
to which the Company was indebted at the end of its last fiscal year in an aggregate amount that is less than five percent of the consolidated assets of the Company.
For relationships not covered by the guidelines in the immediately preceding paragraph, the determination of whether the relationship is material or not, and therefore whether the director would be independent or not, is made by our directors who satisfy the independence guidelines described above. These independence guidelines used by our Board are set forth in our corporate governance guidelines, which are published under the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.noblecorp.com.
In addition, in order to determine the independence under the NYSE rules of any director who will serve on the compensation committee, the Board must consider all factors specifically relevant to determining whether a director has a relationship to the Company which is material to that director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member, including, but not limited to:
the source of compensation of such director, including any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee paid by the Company to such director; and
whether such director is affiliated with the Company, one of our subsidiaries or an affiliate of one of our subsidiaries.
In accordance with the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, the Board Chairman, Mr. Sledge, presides at regularly scheduled executive sessions of our Board held without management present.
Policies and Procedures Relating to Transactions with Related Persons
Transactions with related persons are reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth in our Code of Conduct and our administrative policy manual (and, in the case of our Board, our Articles and the provisions of Cayman company law), the procedures described below for director and officer questionnaires and the other procedures described below.
Our Code of Conduct provides that business decisions must be made free from any conflicts of interest. Under such Code of Conduct, any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict, potential conflict or an uncertainty as to whether a conflict exists should bring the matter to the attention of their supervisor or other appropriate personnel. Any waiver of the Code of Conduct may only be made by our Board or an authorized committee of our Board. Cayman company law and our Articles also contain specific provisions relating to the approval and authorization of conflicts of interests by members of our Board, in addition to our Code of Conduct. A conflict of interest exists when an individual has or appears to have competing interests or duties of loyalty that place their personal self-interests against the interests of the Company.
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Our Code of Conduct sets forth several examples of potential conflicts of interest, including:
hiring someone that one has a close personal or family relationship with, or placing a family member or close personal friend in a position that reports to oneself;
making an undisclosed material investment or holding an undisclosed financial interest in an outside company doing business with the Company;
serving in a management or director capacity at another company in the contract drilling or energy services industry;
using material non-public information that one learns about from his or her position at the Company to invest in companies or securities;
disclosing confidential information about the Company’s business without proper authorization;
buying, selling, or leasing equipment or property to or from the Company without proper authorization; and
accepting gifts or extravagant entertainment from someone soliciting business or information from the Company.
In addition, Company policies, which apply to all our employees, include additional examples of what the Company considers to be a conflict of interest, including when:
subject to certain limited exceptions, any employee or any member of his or her immediate family purchases leasehold or mineral interests in any geological area that the Company is involved in or is contemplating becoming involved in, unless such purchase is approved by the Board; and
a full-time employee has outside employment without the approval of his or her supervisor.
Each year, we require all our directors, nominees for director and executive officers to complete and sign a questionnaire in connection with our annual report and, if applicable, our annual general meeting of shareholders. The purpose of the questionnaire is to obtain information, including information regarding transactions with related persons, for inclusion in our proxy statement or annual report. For this purpose, we consider “related persons” and “related person transactions” to be as defined in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. In addition, we review SEC filings made by beneficial owners of more than five percent of any class of our voting securities to determine whether information relating to transactions with such persons needs to be included in our proxy statement or annual report. There were no related-party transactions in 2020 that were required to be reported pursuant to the applicable disclosure rules of the SEC, except as described herein. Pursuant to the charter of our audit committee, it is the responsibility of such committee to review, and if appropriate, approve related party transactions.
Transactions with Related Persons Related to the Chapter 11 Cases
Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment Agreement
Legacy Noble entered into the Backstop Commitment Agreement with the Backstop Parties, which include certain of Legacy Noble’s significant shareholders, on October 12, 2020, pursuant to which the issuance of the Second Lien Notes was fully backstopped by the Ad Hoc Guaranteed Group and the Ad Hoc Legacy Group (each as defined in the Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2020, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dates as of August 20, 2020). Participation in the Rights Offering of Second Lien Notes was offered to the holders of the Guaranteed Notes and the Legacy Notes. On the Effective Date, and pursuant to the terms of the Plan, Finco issued an aggregate principal amount of $216.0 million of Second Lien Notes, which includes the aggregate subscription price of $200.0 million plus a backstop fee of $16.0 million which was paid in kind.
Registration Rights Agreements
Equity Registration Rights Agreement
On the Effective Date, Noble entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Equity Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain parties who received Ordinary Shares under the Plan (“RRA Shareholders”). Under the Equity Registration Rights Agreement, RRA Shareholders have certain demand and piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to their underwritten offering registration rights, RRA Shareholders have the right to demand that Noble register underwritten offerings of any or all of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement) pursuant to an effective registration statement, subject to certain conditions, including that the aggregate proceeds expected to be received from such an offering is equal to or greater than $20.0 million, unless such demand is not pursuant to a shelf registration statement, in which case certain RRA Shareholders may require that Noble register an underwritten offering for an amount that would enable all remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such offering. In addition, the Equity Registration Rights Agreement requires Noble to register for resale such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including by filing a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 by the applicable deadline set forth in the Equity Registration Rights Agreement.
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Notes Registration Rights Agreement
On the Effective Date, Finco entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Notes Registration Rights Agreement”) with certain parties who received Second Lien Notes under the Plan (the “RRA Noteholders”). Under the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, RRA Noteholders have certain demand and piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to their underwritten offering registration rights, RRA Noteholders have the right to demand that Finco register underwritten offerings of any or all of their Registrable Securities (as defined in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement) pursuant to an effective registration statement, subject to certain conditions, including that the aggregate proceeds expected to be received from such an offering is equal to or greater than $20.0 million, unless such demand is not pursuant to a shelf registration statement, in which case certain RRA Noteholders may require that Finco register an underwritten offering for an amount that would enable all remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such offering. In addition, the Notes Registration Rights Agreements requires Finco to register for resale such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including by filing a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 by the applicable deadline set forth in the Notes Registration Rights Agreement.
Director Designation Right
For a discussion of the Investor Manager’s right to designate an Investor Director, see “Director Designation Right” under Item 10 of this Form 10-K/A.
Board Observer Agreement
For a discussion of the Board Observer Agreement, see “Board Observer Agreement” under Item 10 of this Form 10-K/A.
Other Transactions with Related Persons
Pacific Drilling Merger Registration Rights Agreement
On March 25, 2021, Noble entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Pacific Drilling Merger Agreement”) with Duke Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble (“Duke Merger Sub”), and Pacific Drilling Company LLC (“Pacific Drilling”), providing for the merger of Duke Merger Sub with and into Pacific Drilling (the “Pacific Drilling Merger”), with Pacific Drilling continuing as the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble. On April 15, 2021, in connection with the closing of the Pacific Drilling Merger, Noble entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Pacific Drilling Merger RRA”) with each of the holders identified therein (the “Pacific Drilling Merger RRA Holders”), pursuant to which, among other things, Noble is required to file with the SEC a registration statement registering for resale the Ordinary Shares issuable to Pacific Drilling RRA Holders upon consummation of the Pacific Drilling Merger, and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, certain Pacific Drilling Merger RRA Holders have customary shelf, demand and piggyback registration rights. In addition, pursuant to the Pacific Drilling Merger RRA, certain Pacific Drilling Merger RRA Holders have the right to require Noble, subject to certain limitations set forth therein, to effect a distribution of any or all of their Ordinary Shares by means of an underwritten offering. Noble is not obligated to effect any underwritten offering unless the dollar amount of the registrable securities of the Pacific Drilling Merger RRA Holder(s) demanding such underwritten offering to be included therein is reasonably likely to result in gross sale proceeds of at least $20 million.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table sets forth the fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services rendered during each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
20212020
Audit Fees (1)
$6,904 $4,753 
Audit-Related Fees (2)
$17 $12 
Tax Compliance Fees$215 $134 
Tax Consulting Fees (3)
$863 $705 
All Other Fees (4)
$157 $184 
Total$8,155 $5,788 
(1) Represents fees for professional services rendered for the audits of the Company’s and Finco’s annual financial statements, reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and statutory audits of our subsidiaries for each of the years presented.
(2) Represents fees for professional services rendered for benefit plan audits for 2021 and 2020
(3) Represents fees for professional services rendered primarily for international tax advice and planning.
(4) Fees for 2021 and 2020 include UK reporting compliance consultation. 2020 fees also include a subscription to the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP online accounting research tool.
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All fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
In January 2004, the audit committee adopted a pre-approval policy framework for audit and non-audit services, which established that the audit committee may adopt a pre-approval policy framework each year under which specified audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services may be performed without further specific engagement pre-approval. On February 17, 2021 and January 30, 2020, the audit committee readopted such policy framework for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Under the policy framework, all tax services provided by the independent auditor must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee. Requests or applications to provide services that do require further, separate approval by the audit committee are required to be submitted to the audit committee by both the independent auditors and the chief accounting officer, chief financial officer or controller of the Company, and must include a joint statement that, in their view, the nature or type of service is not a prohibited non-audit service under the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1)Financial Statements: Previously included in Item 8 on page 63 in the Original Filing.
(2)Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted because they are either not applicable or required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto in the Original Filing.
(3)Exhibits:
     The information required by this Item 15(a)(3) is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this Form 10-K/A and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Index to Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.1
4.2
10.1*
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Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
10.2*
10.3*
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
10.7*
10.8*
10.9*
10.10*
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
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Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
10.15*
10.16*
10.17*
10.18*
10.19*
10.20*
10.21*
10.22*
10.23*
10.24*
10.25*
10.26
38


Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35
10.36
39


Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
10.37
10.38
10.39*
10.40*
10.41*
10.42*
10.43*
10.44
10.45*
10.46*
10.47*
10.48*
40


Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
10.49*
10.50*
10.51*
10.52*
10.53
10.54
10.55
10.56
10.57
10.58
10.59**
10.60**
21.1**
22.1**
23.1
23.2
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Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
31.5
31.6
31.7
31.8
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
______________________________________________________
*    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**    Previously filed with the Original Filing.
†    Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted. The Company agrees to furnish a supplemental copy with any omitted information to the SEC upon request.
+    Furnished in accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company
 
March 11, 2022By:/s/ Robert W. Eifler
  Robert W. Eifler
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 11, 2022By:/s/ Richard B. Barker
Richard B. Barker
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Noble Finance Company, a Cayman Islands company
March 11, 2022By:/s/ Robert W. Eifler
  Robert W. Eifler
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 11, 2022By:/s/ Richard B. Barker
Richard B. Barker
Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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