8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 30, 2004

NOBLE ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-07964	73-0785597
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	Commission File Number	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Glenborough, Suite 100 Houston, Texas	77067
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 872-3100

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
	Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURE
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Press Release dated November 30, 2004

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

     On November 30, 2004, Noble Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that James L. McElvany, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer tendered his resignation. Mr. McElvany will step down as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective January 1, 2005. He will remain with the Company as Senior Vice President to aid in the transition process until the second quarter 2005 when his retirement becomes effective. The Company simultaneously announced that Mr. Chris Tong, 48, will succeed Mr. McElvany and will be appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective January 1, 2005. The information contained in the press release dated November 30, 2004, in connection with the announcements is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

     The terms of Mr. Tong’s employment arrangement with the Company will be disclosed under cover of Form 8-K/A no later than 4 business days after such terms are finalized.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are furnished as part of this current Report on Form 8-K:

99.1 Press Release dated November 30, 2004

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	NOBLE ENERGY, INC.
Date: December 6, 2004	By:	/s/ ARNOLD J. JOHNSON
		Arnold J. Johnson
		Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Item	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release date November 30, 2004

EX-99.1

	NEWS RELEASE
100 Glenborough Drive	Contact: Greg Panagos: 281-872-3125
Suite 100	Investor Relations@nobleenergyinc.com
Houston, TX 77067

NOBLE ENERGY ANNOUNCES JAMES L. MCELVANY TO RETIRE
CHRIS TONG TO BE JOINING NOBLE ENERGY AS CFO

HOUSTON (November 30, 2004) – Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL) today announced that James L. McElvany, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has elected to retire. Mr. McElvany has been with the company for over 25 years and has been the CFO since 1999.

The company also announced that succeeding Mr. McElvany will be Mr. Chris Tong, who will be joining the organization as Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer effective January 1, 2005. Most recently, Mr Tong has been Senior Vice President and CFO for Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc., an independent exploration and production company located in Irving, Texas. Prior to joining Magnum Hunter Resources in 1997, Mr Tong served in financial leadership positions at Tejas Gas Corporation and in several commercial banking institutions. Mr. Tong earned a degree in economics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Mr. McElvany will remain with Noble Energy as Senior Vice President and will aid in the transition process until his retirement, which will occur in the second quarter of 2005.

Charles D. Davidson, Noble Energy’s chairman, president and CEO, said, “James McElvany has provided outstanding financial leadership to Noble Energy for many years. I have appreciated the opportunity to work closely with James, and I know I can speak for everyone at Noble Energy that his commitment, integrity and most of all, friendship, will be greatly missed. All of us wish James and his wife Linda the very best as they enter retirement. While James will be missed, Noble Energy is very fortunate to be able to have Chris Tong joining us. We have great confidence that Chris’ banking and oil and gas experience will be instrumental in helping Noble Energy continue to grow successfully through its strong platform of domestic and international assets.”

Noble Energy is one of the nation’s leading independent energy companies and operates throughout major basins in the United States including the Gulf of Mexico, as well as internationally, in Argentina, China, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea. Noble Energy markets natural gas and crude oil through its subsidiary, Noble Energy Marketing, Inc.

This news release may include projections and other “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any such projections or statements reflect Noble Energy’s current views about future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given that such events or performance will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected include, without limitation, the volatility in commodity prices for oil and gas, the presence or recoverability of estimated reserves, the ability to replace reserves, environmental risks, drilling and operating risks, exploration and development risks, competition, government regulation or other action, the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals and other risks inherent in Noble Energy’s business that are detailed in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings.

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