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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000072207-03-000033.txt : 20031218
<SEC-HEADER>0000072207-03-000033.hdr.sgml : 20031218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031218171350
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000072207-03-000033
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031218
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031218

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POILLION WILLIAM A JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188005

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07964
		FILM NUMBER:		031063029

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 GLENBOROUGH DR
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2818723150

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOBLE ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000072207
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				730785597
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 GLENBOROUGH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2818723100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		350 GLENBOROUGH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77067

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NOBLE AFFILIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020426

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NOBLE AFFILIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f4100040031218_171227533.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-18</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000072207</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOBLE ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NBL</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188005</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POILLION WILLIAM A JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 GLENBOROUGH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>SR VP Production</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>NOBLE ENERGY INC/COMMON STOCK $3.33-1/3</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-12-18</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F3"/>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>8500</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>45</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>50605</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>NOBLE ENERGY INC/COMMON STOCK $3.33-1/3</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-12-18</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>526</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>44.67</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>16312</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value>By 401(k)</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F2">See Remarks</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">The shares were exercised, sold or exercised and slod using a valid 10b-5 rule insturment.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks>Between the last Section 16b reported transaction on Form 4 or Form 5 and this report; this reporting person acquired or held shares in a unit trust arrangement within the Noble Energy Inc., Defined Contribution Plan (401-k) representing shares of the Company's Common Stock.  The change in units/shares within the Contribution Plan reflected in Column 4 of this filing is the Sum of the current balance in the Contribution Plan divided by the closing share price of the Company's Common Stock; substracted from the balance reflected in Column 5 of the last report filed.  The balance of the units/shares in Column 5 of this filing is calculated by dividing the Sum of the current balance in the Contribution Plan by the closing price of the Company's Common Stock.</remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Albert Hoppe:  Attorney-in-fact for William A Poillion</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-06-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>James McElvany:  Attorney-in-fact for William A Poillion</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-06-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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