UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549





FORM 11-K





(Mark One)





þ  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015





OR





o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





For the transition period from ____________ to ____________





Commission File No. 001–07964





A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:





NOBLE ENERGY, INC.


401(K) PLAN





B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:





NOBLE ENERGY, INC.


1001 Noble Energy Way


Houston, Texas 77070





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Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Information








Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm3Financial StatementsStatements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2015 and 20144Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 20155Notes to Financial Statements6Supplementary InformationSchedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 201511





All other schedules required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.





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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM








To the Employee Benefits Committee


Noble Energy, Inc. 401(k) Plan





We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Noble Energy, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2015.  These financial statements are the responsibility of Plan management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.





We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.





In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.





The supplementary information in the accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2015 have been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan's financial statements.  The supplementary information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but includes supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  The supplementary information is the responsibility of Plan management.  Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplementary information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplementary information.  In forming our opinion on the supplementary information in the accompanying schedules, we evaluated whether the supplementary information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  In our opinion, the supplementary information in the accompanying schedules is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.














/s/ WEAVER AND TIDWELL, L.L.P.





Houston, Texas


June 3, 2016






































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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan


Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits





December 31,20152014AssetsInvestments, at fair value (Note 3)$356,339,543$343,140,425ReceivablesNotes receivable from participants5,160,9886,263,220Employer contributions receivable19,386,22722,168,209Total receivables24,547,21528,431,429Net Assets Available for Benefits$380,886,758$371,571,854





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan


Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits


Year EndedDecember 31, 2015AdditionsInvestment IncomeNet depreciation in fair value of investments$(38,985,771)Dividends14,473,904Interest from other investments388,401Net Investment Loss(24,123,466)Interest income on notes receivable from participants183,337ContributionsParticipants22,974,052Rollover42,517,407Employer, net of forfeitures32,296,026Total Contributions97,787,485Total Additions73,847,356DeductionsBenefits paid to participants64,500,514Administrative expenses31,938Total Deductions64,532,452Net Increase in Net Assets Available for Benefits9,314,904Net Assets Available for BenefitsBeginning of year371,571,854End of year$380,886,758





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014











Note 1.  Description of the Plan


The following description of the Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a complete description of the Plan’s provisions.


General


The Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan is a defined contribution plan covering certain employees of Noble Energy, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company or Noble Energy). The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).


Contributions


Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of employment. Participants may defer up to 50% of their base compensation, including overtime, subject to the annual limitation established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of $18,000 and $17,500 for 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company’s matching contribution percentage is 100% of the participant’s deferrals up to 6% of the participant’s base compensation and is funded subsequent to each pay period. Participants who are age 50 or older at the end of the calendar year are eligible to defer additional catch-up contributions, subject to certain IRS limits ($6,000 in 2015 and $5,500 in 2014 ). In addition, participants may contribute amounts representing rollovers from other qualified plans. The Company does not match rollovers or catch-up contributions.


A profit sharing provision was introduced for participants hired after April 30, 2006 and employed by the Company on the last day of the plan year. The profit sharing contribution is calculated based upon the following percentages of a participant’s base compensation, including overtime, while a covered employee during that year:


Percentage of BaseCompensation while aCovered Employee that wasBelow the Social SecurityPercentage of BaseCompensation while aCovered Employee that wasAbove the Social SecurityAge of ParticipantWage BaseWage BaseUnder 354%8%At least 35 but under 487%10%At least 489%12%


In 2013, the Company terminated its defined benefit plan.  As a result, the Plan was amended so that former participants of the defined benefit plan would be eligible to receive profit sharing contributions beginning in 2014.  In addition, the Plan was also amended to provide transition contributions, beginning in 2014, for eligible employees who were part of the Company's defined benefit plan. Those employees that were participants in the defined benefit plan that have less than 20 years of service with the Company will receive an additional 6% contribution (Transition Contribution) each year employed by the Company for the lesser of 10 years or until the employee reaches 20 years of service.


Participant Account


Participating employees have an option as to the manner in which their employee and employer contributions may be invested. Participants may direct their accounts into various mutual funds, Noble Energy common stock, a common collective trust fund, as well as other publicly traded securities through a self-directed brokerage feature. Participant accounts are valued daily. Allocations of net earnings are based on account balances as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.


Plan Termination


The Plan is intended to continue indefinitely; however, the right to terminate participation in the Plan is reserved to each participating company. Upon termination or permanent suspension of contributions with respect to all or any one of the participating companies, the accounts of all participants affected thereby will become fully vested, and the balances in their accounts will be distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, as determined by the Noble Energy Employee Benefits Committee (the Committee).


In 2015, the Plan was amended to provide for fully vesting of accounts if an employee is terminated as part of a Company designated reduction in force event or change in control.  During 2015, the Company experienced designated reduction in force events and pursuant to the Plan amendment, all active participants of the Plan that were terminated as a result of the events were made fully vested, if they were not already fully vested.


Vesting





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014





Participants are immediately vested in their pretax contributions, Transition Contributions, and rollover contributions. Participants become fully vested in employer matching contributions in accordance with the following schedule:


Period of ServiceVestedCompleted by ParticipantPercentageLess than 1 yearNoneAt least 1 but less than 2 years34%At least 2 but less than 3 years67%3 or more years100%


Participants become fully vested in the profit sharing contribution in accordance with the following schedule:


Period of ServiceVestedCompleted by ParticipantPercentageLess than 3 yearsNone3 or more years100%


The Plan also provides for participants to be fully vested upon death, permanent disability or completion of an hour of service on or after the participant’s 65 th birthday.


Benefits Paid to Participants


Distributions are made in lump-sum payments, at the request of the participant, after termination of employment. While employed, a participant may make withdrawals from his or her employer or employee contribution accounts (as allowed under IRS regulations) subject to certain restrictions described in the Plan. Certain restrictions associated with withdrawals may be waived in the event a participant demonstrates a financial hardship. The Plan requires automatic cash outs of account balances less than $1,000 upon termination of employment.


Notes Receivable from Participants


A participant may borrow from the Plan up to the lesser of $50,000 reduced by the highest outstanding loan balance in the previous 12 months or one-half of the participant’s vested account balance. Interest is charged at the current prime rate. Interest rates on outstanding loans as of December 31, 2015 ranged from 3.25% to 7.25% and loans are required to be repaid within five years through payroll deductions. Maturity dates on loans outstanding as of December 31, 2015 ranged from January 19, 2016 to December 22, 2020 . Repayments of principal and interest are credited to the borrowing participant’s account. Participants may have a maximum of two loans outstanding at a time.


Plan Administration


The Plan is administered by the Committee. The investment options available under the Plan (other than Noble Energy common stock and those selected by a participant under the Plan’s self-directed brokerage feature) are recommended by a professional investment advisory firm appointed by the Committee. Fidelity Management Trust Company (the Trustee) serves as Trustee of the Plan. Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. is the record keeper.


Noble Energy Common Stock Voting Rights


Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights attributable to the Noble Energy common stock in his or her account and is notified by the Trustee prior to the time that such rights are to be exercised. If the participant does not exercise these rights, the shares are voted by the Trustee as directed by the Committee.





Note 2.  Significant Accounting Policies


Basis of Presentation


The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP).


Use of Estimates


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014





Valuation of Investments and Income Recognition


Investments are reported at fair value.  Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The Plan's Employee Benefits Committee determines the Plan's valuation policies utilizing information provided by the investment advisers, custodians, and insurance company.  Investments traded on national securities exchanges are valued at closing prices on the last business day of the year. Cash is valued at cost, which approximates fair value. See  Note 3. Fair Value Measurements .


The statement of net assets available for benefits includes the fair value of the underlying assets and wrap contracts of the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio based on the proportionate ownership of the Plan.


Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest is recorded as earned. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments includes gains and losses on investments sold during the year as well as appreciation and depreciation of the investments held at the end of the year.


Notes Receivable from Participants


Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Delinquent participant loans are reclassified as a distribution based upon the terms of the Plan document.


Expenses of the Plan


Certain Plan administration expenses, such as loan maintenance fees and check fees, are charged to and paid by the participants requesting the transaction. At the discretion of the Company, all other administrative expenses or fees are paid by either the Plan or the Company.  Investment related expenses are included in net appreciation in fair value of investments.


Benefit Payments


Benefits are recorded as paid.


Forfeitures


When a participant terminates employment, he or she is entitled to withdraw his or her total vested account balance. The non-vested percentage of the Company’s matching and profit sharing contributions become a forfeiture upon participant termination for reasons other than retirement, death or permanent disability. The forfeiture balance as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $476,034 and $176,257 , respectively. Certain forfeitures are used to restore certain amounts to the accounts of rehired participants and to reduce the Company’s future contributions. Forfeitures utilized to reduce contributions were $897,630 in 2015 .


New Accounting Pronouncements/Accounting Changes


In July 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965):  (Part I) Fully Benefit Responsive Investment Contracts, (Part II) Plan Investment Disclosures, (Part III) Measurement Date Practical Expedient.  Part I eliminates the requirements to measure the fair value of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts and provide certain disclosures.  Contract value is the only required measure for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts.  Part II eliminates the requirements to disclose individual investments that represent 5 percent or more of net assets available for benefits and the net appreciation or depreciation in fair value of investments by general type.  Part II also simplifies the level of disaggregation of investments that are measured using fair value.  Plans will continue to disaggregate investments that are measured using fair value by general type; however, plans are no longer required to also disaggregate investment by nature, characteristics and risks.  Further, the disclosure of information about fair value measurements shall be provided by general type of plan asset.  Part III is not applicable to the Plan.  The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  Parts I and II are to be applied retrospectively.  Part III is to be applied prospectively.  Management has elected to adopt Parts I and II early.  The Plan's early adoption of this guidance in 2015 was applied retrospectively and did not have a material impact on its financial statements.


Reclassifications


Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2014 financial statements to conform to the 2015 financial statement presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on changes in net assets available for benefits.





Note 3.  Fair Value Measurements


US GAAP for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The Plan uses Level 1 inputs when available as Level 1 inputs generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014





Certain investments are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the statements of net assets available for benefits.  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:


Interest bearing cash, mutual funds, common stocks and other investments – These investments consist of various publicly-traded money market funds, mutual funds, and common stock. The fair values are based on quoted market prices.  Other investments classified as Level 1 include corporate and government bonds, and other investments classified as Level 2 include rights, warrants, options and other units.


Common collective trust fund – Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio is valued at the Net Asset Value (NAV) of units of a bank collective trust. The NAV, as provided by the Trustee, is used to estimate fair value. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. Participant transactions (purchases and sales) may occur daily. Were the Plan to initiate a full redemption of the collective trust, the investment adviser reserves the right to temporarily delay withdrawal from the trust in order to ensure that securities liquidations will be carried out in an orderly business manner.


The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net asset value or reflective of future fair value. Furthermore, while the Plan’s valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in different estimates of fair value at the reporting date.


Fair value information for investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:


Fair Value Measurements UsingQuoted Pricesin ActiveMarkets(Level 1)Significant OtherObservableInputs(Level 2)SignificantUnobservableInputs(Level 3)FairValueMeasurementDecember 31, 2015Mutual Funds$256,489,932$—$—$256,489,932Noble Energy Common Stock54,719,192——54,719,192Self-Directed Brokerage Account14,616,602237,598—14,854,200Money Market Funds110,945——110,945Common Collective Trust Fund—30,165,274—30,165,274Total Investments, at Fair Value$325,936,671$30,402,872$—$356,339,543December 31, 2014Mutual Funds$239,825,433$—$—$239,825,433Noble Energy Common Stock65,950,656——65,950,656Self-Directed Brokerage Account10,209,399503,456—10,712,855Common Collective Trust Fund—26,651,481—26,651,481Total Investments, at Fair Value$315,985,488$27,154,937$—$343,140,425





Note 4.  Investments


During 2015 and 2014, the Plan held an interest in the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II fund.  This fund is a stable value fund with underlying investments in investment contracts that carry a “benefit responsiveness” feature, which among other things, guarantees that participant-initiated withdrawals from the fund will be covered at contract value. This fund invests in investment contracts issued by insurance companies and other financial institutions (wraps), fixed income securities, and money market funds. The fair value of the fund is calculated by the issuer utilizing quoted market prices, most recent bid prices in the principal market in which the securities are normally traded, pricing services and dealer quotes. The fair value of underlying wrap contracts is calculated by the issuer using a discounted cash flow model which considers (i) recent fee bids as determined by recognized dealers, (ii) discount rate and (iii) the duration of the underlying portfolio securities. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no reserves against the wrap contracts’ carrying values due to minimal credit risks of the issuers. Interest rates are reviewed on a monthly basis for resetting. Certain events could limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuers of the contracts held by the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio. Such events could include, but are not limited to, the following: the establishment of a defined contribution plan that competes with the Plan for contributions, substantive modification to the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio or the administration of the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio, change in law, regulation or administrative ruling applicable to the Plan that could have a material adverse effect on cash flow, transfer to a competing investment





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014





option, and failure of the Plan to qualify under the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC). Withdrawals initiated by the Plan will normally be provided at contract value as soon as practicable within twelve months following written notice. The Plan does not believe that the occurrence of any of these events, which could limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.


Approximately 14% and 18% of the Plan’s net assets were invested in Noble Energy common stock as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively.





Note 5.  Rollover Contributions


The liquidation process of the Noble Energy, Inc. Retirement Plan was completed in August 2015.  An aggregate of approximately $41 million was rolled into the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2015, and is included in rollovers on the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.





Note 6.  Tax Status


The IRS has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated August 13, 2014, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the IRC.  Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, Plan management believes that the Plan is designed, and is currently being operated, in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified, and the related trust is tax-exempt.


US GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS.  The Committee has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2015 , there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The  Committee believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for plan years prior to 2012 .





Note 7.  Party-in-Interest Transactions


The Plan allows for investment in Noble Energy common stock. The Company is the plan sponsor; therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.  Total net assets invested in Noble Energy common stock were $54,719,192 and $65,950,656 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.


The Plan also invests in money market funds, a common collective trust fund and mutual funds issued by an affiliate of the Trustee; therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. Total net assets invested in Fidelity funds and cash accounts were $150,774,880 and $178,401,938 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.


The above transactions are covered by an exemption from the “prohibited transactions” provisions of ERISA and the IRC.





Note 8.  Risks and Uncertainties


The Plan, at the direction of the participants, may invest in various types of investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.





Note 9.  Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500


The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500: December 31,20152014Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements$380,886,758$371,571,854Add: Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts—395,330Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500$380,886,758$371,967,184


The following is a reconciliation of the net increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500: Year Ended December 31,2015Net increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements$9,314,904Less: Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts December 31, 2014(395,330)Net increase in net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500$8,919,574





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Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan
 Notes to Financial Statements
 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014





Fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are recorded on the Form 5500 at fair value but are adjusted to contract value for financial statement presentation.





Note 10.  Subsequent Events


In 2016, the assets of the Rosetta Resources Retirement Savings Plan will be transferred into the Plan as result of the acquisition of Rosetta Resources Inc. by Noble Energy.








Noble Energy, Inc. 401(K) Plan


EIN: 73-0785597 Plan #002


Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)


December 31, 2015 a.b. Identity of issue, borrower, lessor, or similar partyc. Description of investment including maturity date, rate of interest, par or maturity valued.  Cost(1)e. Current ValueCommon Collective Trust Fund*Fidelity Managed Income PortfolioCommon collective trust fund$—$30,165,274Total Common Collective Trust Fund$—$30,165,274Mutual FundsAmerican Funds Growth Fund of America (Class A Shares)Mutual fund$—$19,858,661Artisan Mid Cap InstitutionalMutual fund—12,730,731Dimensional Fund Advisors Small Cap I FundMutual fund—11,705,718Dodge & Cox Income FundMutual fund—17,734,483Dodge & Cox Stock FundMutual fund—20,713,847*Fidelity Diversified International K FundMutual fund—16,866,930*Fidelity Freedom K Income FundMutual fund—2,166,019*Fidelity Freedom K 2005 FundMutual fund—374,767*Fidelity Freedom K 2010 FundMutual fund—1,232,953*Fidelity Freedom K 2015 FundMutual fund—4,809,179*Fidelity Freedom K 2020 FundMutual fund—13,384,081*Fidelity Freedom K 2025 FundMutual fund—12,217,630*Fidelity Freedom K 2030 FundMutual fund—12,983,591*Fidelity Freedom K 2035 FundMutual fund—9,071,717*Fidelity Freedom K 2040 FundMutual fund—10,095,614*Fidelity Freedom K 2045 FundMutual fund—10,148,497*Fidelity Freedom K 2050 FundMutual fund—8,795,719*Fidelity Freedom K 2055 FundMutual fund—3,390,174*Fidelity Freedom K 2060 FundMutual fund—58,084*Fidelity Puritan K FundMutual fund—13,408,995Harbor Emerging Markets Equity Fund Institutional ClassMutual fund—145,276





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Natixis Funds Trust II Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund Class YMutual fund—11,815,654PRIMECAP Odyssey Stock FundMutual fund—15,692,591*Spartan US Equity Index FundMutual fund—25,317,146Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral SharesMutual fund—1,022,406Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral SharesMutual fund—749,469Total Mutual Funds$—$256,489,932Common Stocks*Noble Energy, Inc.Common stock$—$54,719,192Total Common Stocks$—$54,719,192Money Market FundsFidelity Retirement Govt. Money MarketMoney market fund$—$11,399Fidelity Money Market Trust Retirement Govt.  IIMoney market fund—99,546Total Money Market Funds$—$110,945*Brokerage linkSelf-directed brokerage account$—$14,854,200Total Investments$—$356,339,543*Notes Receivable from ParticipantsInterest rates ranging from 3.25% to 7.25%; maturity dates ranging from January 19, 2016 through December 22, 2020$—$5,160,988$—$361,500,531


*  Represents party-in-interest


(1) Historical cost information has been omitted for participant-directed investments.





See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.





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SIGNATURE





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Trustee (or other person who administers the employee benefit plan) has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


NOBLE ENERGY, INC. 401(K) PLANDate:June 3, 2016By:/s/ Andrea Lee RobisonAndrea Lee Robison,Senior Vice President Human Resources and Administration of Noble Energy, Inc.











INDEX TO EXHIBIT





Exhibit numberExhibit23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm








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