Noble Corp. extends rig contract but at huge discount

• Noble Corp. (NYSE:NE) says in its latest fleet status report that it reached agreement with Hess for an extension for one of its deepwater rigs in the Gulf of Mexico but at a $128.5K dayrate, 58% lower than the previous contract for $304K; the extension is estimated at ~80 days.
• NE also says it has found work for a currently stacked jackup rig beginning next month, but contract terms were not disclosed.