Noble Corporation (NYSE: NE) announces that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to separate a business comprised of many of its standard specification drilling units, resulting in the creation of two separate and highly focused offshore drilling companies.  The drilling units that would be owned and operated by the new company comprise most of the standard specification drilling units in the Noble fleet, including five drillships, three semisubmersibles, 34 jackups, two submersibles, and one FPSO.  The new company would also be responsible for the Hibernia platform operations.  Noble will continue to own and operate its high-specification assets with particular operating focus in deepwater and ultra-deepwater markets for drillships and semisubmersibles and harsh environment and high-specification markets for jackups.

The plan approved by the Board of Directors involves the separation of the standard specification business through the distribution of the shares of the new company to Noble shareholders in a spin-off that would be tax-free to shareholders.  Subject to business, market, regulatory and other considerations, the separation may be preceded by an initial public offering of up to 20 percent of the shares of the new company. Consummation of the transaction is contingent upon the receipt of a tax ruling from the IRS, which Noble expects to receive soon.  If Noble proceeds with the IPO as part of the spin-off, Noble expects that the new company would file a registration statement for the IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in late 2013 or early 2014.  The transaction is also subject to the approval of Noble's shareholders, which the company anticipates seeking in the second quarter of 2014.  Noble anticipates that the spin-off would be completed by the end of 2014.  Noble expects that the new company would use the net proceeds from borrowings by the new company (and the IPO if undertaken) to repay to Noble the debt the new company would incur to Noble in order to acquire the standard specification business and assets from Noble.  Noble expects that, in turn, it would use such proceeds to repay outstanding indebtedness of Noble and its subsidiaries.

The purpose of the separation is to:

•    separate Noble's existing rig fleet into high specification and deepwater and ultra-deepwater assets, which will remain with Noble, and many standard specification assets, which will comprise the new company's fleet, as set forth in the attachment to this release;

•    allow each company to have a more focused business and operational strategy;

•    enhance each company's growth potential and overall valuation of its assets;

•    provide each company with a greater ability to make business and operational decisions in the best interests of its particular business and to allocate capital and corporate resources with a focus on achieving its strategic priorities;

•    better utilize the professionalism and skills of Noble's team and culture to deliver excellent service, safety and operational integrity to its customers;

•    improve each company's ability to attract and retain individuals with the appropriate skill sets as well as to better align compensation and incentives with the performance of these different businesses; and

•    allow the financial markets and investors to evaluate each company more effectively.

David W. Williams, who will remain as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Noble, said, "The purpose of the separation is for Noble to move forward with our development as a robust high specification and deepwater drilling company through continued execution of newbuilds and fleet enhancements.  By separating these two businesses, we believe each company will be able to better leverage the overall value of its fleet by focusing on the drivers of its particular business."

There can be no assurance that Noble's proposed plan will lead to an initial public offering or spin-off of the new company or any other transaction, or that if any transaction is pursued, that it will be consummated. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. This announcement is being issued pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 135 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Due to limitations imposed by U.S. securities laws, Noble will not hold a conference call to discuss the contents of this release.

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NYC-based PIRA Energy Group reports that U.S. crude stocks declined relative to the same week last year. On the week, U.S. commercial inventories declined, while Japanese stocks rose. Specifically, PIRA’s analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

U.S. Commercial Inventories Decline

Commercial inventories declined for the week ending September 13 led by lower crude inventories but also lower gasoline and distillate. U.S. commercial stocks are now 12.7 million barrels above last year. This is down sharply from last week due both to the stock draw this past week and the huge stock build for this same week last year. The excess continues to be largely in gasoline. While crude is down compared to last year and distillates are nearly flat and remain quite low relative to history.

Japanese Crude Imports and Stocks Rise, Demand Weakens

Crude stocks and imports jumped and gasoline demand was surprisingly soft. Kerosene stocks returned to building mode as demand eased back. Refinery margins remain abysmal with gasoline cracks being the biggest drag, though fuel oil cracks are also very weak.

Low Propane Stocks in the U.S. and High Levels of Feedstock Usage

High levels of propane exports and on-going feedstock usage will keep propane stocks relatively low going into the winter. Growing LPG imports into Europe as well as the winding down of North Sea maintenance are pressuring prices. Steam cracker operators should be maximizing propane use in both Europe and Asia.

Ethanol Values Plummet

U.S. ethanol values plunged for the week ending September 13 as the 2013/2014 corn harvest has begun and corn prices have fallen, lowering the cost to manufacture the fuel. The supply/demand balance also shifted from tightness to a surplus position.

Ethanol Output Lower

U.S. ethanol production fell to 838 MB/D for the week ending September 13, erasing some of the gains made in the previous week. Output is expected to increase soon as the corn harvest begins in the Midwest and several plants restart.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap, which alerts readers to PIRA’s current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.

Click here for additional information on PIRA’s global energy commodity market research services.

Chevron Technology Ventures LLC (CTV) has announced that it has launched CTV Fund V, a $90 million venture capital fund to invest in early- to mid-stage companies and in limited partnership funds. Investments from CTV Fund V will focus on companies developing emerging technologies that have the potential to improve Chevron’s oil and gas base business performance or create new opportunities for growth.

“We provide an excellent source of innovative technologies that can deliver value to Chevron’s business units when applied,” said CTV President Barbara Burger. “We are using venture capital as a conduit for early adoption of emerging technologies and to build a pipeline of innovation for Chevron.”

CTV-managed strategic investments prior to Fund V have supported a wide range of companies and venture capital funds. Partner technologies are used across Chevron’s Upstream and Downstream business units, producing substantial earnings for the company. CTV screens more than 400 opportunities per year, selecting one to three companies in which to invest. The company has a current portfolio of 37 companies.

Formed in June 1999, CTV invests in technology start-up companies whose innovations could significantly benefit Chevron’s existing businesses and lead to new growth opportunities. CTV identifies, sponsors and demonstrates emerging technology and champions its integration into Chevron.

 has announced that it has launched CTV Fund V, a $90 million venture capital fund to invest in early- to mid-stage companies and in limited partnership funds. Investments from CTV Fund V will focus on companies developing emerging technologies that have the potential to improve Chevron’s oil and gas base business performance or create new opportunities for growth.

“We provide an excellent source of innovative technologies that can deliver value to Chevron’s business units when applied,” said CTV President Barbara Burger. “We are using venture capital as a conduit for early adoption of emerging technologies and to build a pipeline of innovation for Chevron.”

CTV-managed strategic investments prior to Fund V have supported a wide range of companies and venture capital funds. Partner technologies are used across Chevron’s Upstream and Downstream business units, producing substantial earnings for the company. CTV screens more than 400 opportunities per year, selecting one to three companies in which to invest. The company has a current portfolio of 37 companies.

Formed in June 1999, CTV invests in technology start-up companies whose innovations could significantly benefit Chevron’s existing businesses and lead to new growth opportunities. CTV identifies, sponsors and demonstrates emerging technology and champions its integration into Chevron.