exv10w3






EXHIBIT 10.3



 




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




by and between




                                        




and




                    




March 26, 2009




 








 









 





EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




TABLE OF CONTENTS




	 	 	 	 	 
	1. Employment
	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	2. Employment Term
	 	 	2	 
	(a) Term
	 	 	2	 
	(b) Relationship Prior to Effective Date
	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	3. Positions and Duties
	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	4. Compensation and Related Matters
	 	 	3	 
	(a) Base Salary
	 	 	3	 
	(b) Annual Bonus
	 	 	4	 
	(c) Employee Benefits
	 	 	4	 
	(d) Expenses
	 	 	5	 
	(e) Fringe Benefits
	 	 	5	 
	(f) Vacation
	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	5. Termination of Employment
	 	 	5	 
	(a) Death
	 	 	5	 
	(b) Disability
	 	 	5	 
	(c) Termination by Company
	 	 	6	 
	(d) Termination by Executive
	 	 	7	 
	(e) Notice of Termination
	 	 	7	 
	(f) Date of Termination
	 	 	8	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	6. Obligations of the Company upon Separation from Service
	 	 	8	 
	(a) Good Reason or During the Window Period; Other Than for Cause, Death or
Disability
	 	 	8	 
	(b) Death
	 	 	11	 
	(c) Disability
	 	 	11	 
	(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason or During the Window Period
	 	 	12	 
	(e) Payment Delay for Specified Employee
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	8. Representations and Warranties
	 	 	15	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	9. Confidential Information
	 	 	15	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	10. Certain Definitions
	 	 	16	 
	(a) Effective Date
	 	 	16	 
	(b) Change of Control Period
	 	 	16	 
	(c) Change of Control
	 	 	16	 






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	11. Full Settlement
	 	 	19	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	12. No Effect on Other Contractual Rights
	 	 	20	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	13. Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance
	 	 	20	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	14. Injunctive Relief
	 	 	20	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	15. Governing Law
	 	 	20	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	16. Notices
	 	 	21	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	17. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit
	 	 	21	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	18. Miscellaneous
	 	 	22	 
	(a) Amendment
	 	 	22	 
	(b) Waiver
	 	 	22	 
	(c) Withholding Taxes
	 	 	22	 
	(d) Nonalienation of Benefits
	 	 	22	 
	(e) Severability
	 	 	22	 
	(f) Entire Agreement
	 	 	22	 
	(g) Captions
	 	 	22	 
	(h) References
	 	 	23	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	19. Agreement Subject to Transaction
	 	 	23	 







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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




     This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 26,
2009, by and between                                         , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the
“Executive”);



WITNESSETH:




     WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have previously entered into an Employment Agreement
dated                      (the “Prior Agreement”); and



     WHEREAS, under the Agreement and Plan of Merger, Reorganization and Consolidation dated as of
December 19, 2008 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), among Noble Corporation, a company
organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Noble-Cayman”), Noble Corporation, a Swiss
corporation (“Noble-Switzerland”), and Noble Cayman Acquisition Ltd., a company organized under the
laws of the Cayman Islands, Noble-Cayman will become a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of
Noble-Switzerland pursuant to a merger, reorganization and consolidation by way of schemes of
arrangement under Cayman Islands law (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the Transaction,
Noble-Switzerland will become the publicly traded parent of the Noble group of companies, including
the Company; and



     WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to amend the definition
of “Change of Control” (as defined below) to reflect the Transaction; and



     WHEREAS, this Agreement will take effect as of the “Effective Time” of the Transaction (as
used herein, the term “Effective Time” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Merger
Agreement); and



     WHEREAS, Noble-Switzerland will assume Noble-Cayman’s guarantee of the performance by the
Company of the Company’s obligations hereunder; and



     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the
best interests of the Company, Noble-Switzerland and each other affiliated company (as defined in
Paragraph 1 below), to assure that the group will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in
Paragraph 10 below); and



     WHEREAS, the Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the
Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened
Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company
and/or its affiliated companies currently and in the event of any pending or threatened Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits upon a Change of Control which
ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which
are competitive with those of other corporations; and



 









 







     WHEREAS, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to amend
and restate the Prior Agreement in the form of this Agreement effective as of the Effective Time;



     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Executive hereby
amend the Prior Agreement by restatement in its entirety, subject to the consummation of the
Transaction and effective as of the Effective Time, to read as follows:



     1. Employment. The Company agrees that the Company or an affiliated company will continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Company or an
affiliated company, for the period set forth in Paragraph 2(a), in the positions and with the
duties and responsibilities set forth in Paragraph 3, and upon the other terms and conditions
herein provided. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated company” shall mean any
incorporated or unincorporated trade or business or other entity or person, other than the Company,
that along with the Company is considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the
Code; provided, however, that (i) in applying Section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code for the
purposes of determining a controlled group of corporations under Section 414(b) of the Code, the
phrase “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of the phrase “at least 80 percent” in each
place the phrase “at least 80 percent” appears in Section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code, and
(ii) in applying Treas. Reg. section 1.414(c)-2 for the purposes of determining trades or
businesses (whether or not incorporated) that are under common control for the purposes of Section
414(c) of the Code, the phrase “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of the phrase “at least
80 percent” in each place the phrase “at least 80 percent” appears in Treas. Reg. section
1.414(c)-2.



     2. Employment Term.



          (a) Term. The employment of the Executive by the Company or an affiliated company as provided in
Paragraph 1 shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date (as defined in Paragraph 10
below) through and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the “Employment Term”).




          (b) Relationship Prior to Effective Date. The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as
may otherwise be provided under any written agreement between the Executive and the Company other
than this Agreement, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and, prior to the
Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time. Moreover, if
prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, then the
Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. For purposes of this Paragraph 2(b)
only, the term “Company” shall mean and include the company that employs Executive, whether
                     or an affiliated company of                                         .




     3. Positions and Duties.



          (a) During the Employment Term, the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), duties, functions, responsibilities and authority shall




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be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held or exercised by or
assigned to the Executive in respect of the Company or any affiliated company at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.




          (b) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote the Executive’s full time, skill
and attention, and the Executive’s reasonable best efforts, during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company, and in furtherance of the business and affairs of its
affiliated companies, to the extent necessary to discharge faithfully and efficiently the duties
and responsibilities delegated and assigned to the Executive herein or pursuant hereto, except for
usual, ordinary and customary periods of vacation and absence due to illness or other disability;
provided, however, that the Executive may (i) serve on industry-related, civic or charitable boards
or committees, (ii) with the approval of the Board of Directors of Noble-Switzerland (the
“Noble-Switzerland Board”), serve on corporate boards or committees, (iii) deliver lectures,
fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, and (iv) manage the Executive’s
personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance and fulfillment of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the
Company or an affiliated company in accordance with this Agreement and, in the case of the
activities described in clause (ii) of this proviso, will not, in the good faith judgment of the
Noble-Switzerland Board, constitute an actual or potential conflict of interest with the business
of the Company or an affiliated company. It is expressly understood and agreed that, to the extent
that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive during the term of the Executive’s
employment by the Company or its affiliated companies prior to the Effective Date consistent with
the provisions of this Paragraph 3(b), the continued conduct of such activities (or of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be
deemed to interfere with the performance and fulfillment of the Executive’s duties and
responsibilities to the Company and its affiliated companies.




          (c) In connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder, the Executive shall be based at
the location where the Executive was regularly employed immediately prior to the Effective Date or
any office which is the headquarters of the Company or Noble-Switzerland and is less than 50 miles
from such location, subject, however, to required travel on the business of the Company and its
affiliated companies to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive’s business travel
obligations during the three-year period immediately preceding the Effective Date.




          (d) All services that the Executive may render to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies in any capacity during the Employment Term shall be deemed to be services required by
this Agreement and consideration for the compensation provided for herein.




     4. Compensation and Related Matters.



          (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary
(“Base Salary”) at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable,
including any base salary that has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and
its affiliated companies in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which
the Effective Date occurs. The Base Salary shall be payable in installments in accordance with the
general payroll practices of the Company in effect at the time such




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payment is made, but in no
event less frequently than monthly, or as otherwise mutually agreed upon. During the Employment
Term, the Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to such increases (but not decreases) as may be
determined from time to time by the Noble-Switzerland Board in its sole discretion; provided,
however, that the Executive’s Base Salary (i) shall be reviewed by the Noble-Switzerland Board no
later than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective
Date and thereafter at least annually, with a view to making such upward adjustment, if any, as the
Noble-Switzerland Board deems appropriate, and (ii) shall be increased at any time and from time to
time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the
ordinary course of business to the Executive’s peer executives of the Company or any of its
affiliated companies. Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase. The term Base
Salary as used in this Agreement shall refer to the Base Salary as so increased. Payments of Base
Salary to the Executive shall not be deemed exclusive and shall not prevent the Executive from
participating in any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company and its
affiliated companies in which the Executive is entitled to participate. Payments of Base Salary to
the Executive shall not in any way limit or reduce any other obligation of the Company hereunder,
and no other compensation, benefit or payment to the Executive hereunder shall in any way limit or
reduce the obligation of the Company regarding the Executive’s Base Salary hereunder.




          (b) Annual Bonus. In addition to Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, in respect of each
fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Term, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”)
in cash in an amount at least equal to the Executive’s highest aggregate bonus under all Company
and affiliated company bonus plans, programs, arrangements and awards (including the Company’s
Short-Term Incentive Plan and any successor plan) in respect of any fiscal year in the three full
fiscal year period ended immediately prior to the Effective Date (annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than 12 full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by
the Company or any of its affiliated companies for less than 12 full months) (such highest amount
is hereinafter referred to as the “Recent Annual Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year in respect
of which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such
Annual Bonus.




          (c) Employee Benefits.





          (i) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Term, the Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, programs
and arrangements applicable generally to the Executive’s peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, programs and arrangements
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular
and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less
favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and
its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, programs and arrangements as in
effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective
Date to the Executive’s peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.



4









 






          (ii) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, the Executive and/or the
Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible to participate in and shall
receive all benefits under all welfare benefit plans, programs and arrangements provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans, programs and arrangements) to the extent applicable generally to
the Executive’s peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event
shall such plans, programs and arrangements provide the Executive with welfare benefits that
are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, programs and
arrangements as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to the Executive’s peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.



          (d) Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in performing the Executive’s
duties and responsibilities hereunder in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to the Executive’s peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.




          (e) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe
benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues
and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the
most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies as in
effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time after the Effective
Date with respect to the Executive’s peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.




          (f) Vacation. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation and such
other paid absences, whether for holidays, illness, personal time or any similar purposes, in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time after the Effective Date with respect to the Executive’s peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.




     5. Termination of Employment.



          (a) Death. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death
during the Employment Term.




          (b) Disability. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability (as defined below) of
the Executive has occurred during the Employment Term, the Company may give the Executive notice of
its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such




5









 




event, the Executive’s employment
hereunder shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive
(the “Disability Effective Date”); provided, that within the 30-day period after such receipt, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes
of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties
hereunder on a full-time basis for an aggregate of 180 days within any given period of 270
consecutive days (in addition to any statutorily required leave of absence and any leave of absence
approved by the Company) as a result of incapacity of the Executive, despite any reasonable
accommodation required by law, due to bodily injury or disease or any other mental or physical
illness, which will, in the opinion of a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative, be permanent and continuous
during the remainder of the Executive’s life.




          (c) Termination by Company. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for
Cause (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:





          (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the
Executive’s duties hereunder (other than any such failure resulting from bodily injury or
disease or any other incapacity due to mental or physical illness) after a written demand
for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the
Noble-Switzerland Board, or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or Noble-Switzerland,
which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Noble-
Switzerland Board, or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or Noble-Switzerland,
believes the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties; or




          (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct that
is materially and demonstrably detrimental to the Company and/or its affiliated companies,
monetarily or otherwise.


For purposes of this provision, no act, or failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be
considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without
reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of
Noble-Switzerland. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or the Noble-Switzerland Board or upon the instructions of the Chief
Executive Officer or another senior officer of Noble-Switzerland or based upon the advice of
counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and its affiliated companies. The
cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there
shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative
vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the Noble-Switzerland Board then in
office at a meeting of the Noble-Switzerland Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Noble-Switzerland Board) finding that, in the good faith
opinion of the Noble-Switzerland Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in
subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.




6









 








          (d) Termination by Executive. The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder (i)
at any time during the Employment Term for Good Reason (as defined below) or (ii) during the Window
Period (as defined below) without any reason.



For purposes of this Agreement, the “Window Period” shall mean the 30-day period immediately
following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and “Good Reason” shall mean any of the
following (without the Executive’s express written consent):





          (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the
Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), duties,
functions, responsibilities or authority as contemplated by Paragraph 3(a) of this
Agreement, or any other action by the Company or Noble-Switzerland that results in a
diminution in such position, duties, functions, responsibilities or authority, excluding for
this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and
which is remedied by the Company or Noble-Switzerland promptly after receipt of notice
thereof given by the Executive;




          (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Paragraph 4 of
this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in
bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive;




          (iii) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other
than as provided in Paragraph 3(c) of this Agreement or the Company’s requiring the
Executive to travel on the Company’s or its affiliated companies’ business to a
substantially greater extent than during the three-year period immediately preceding the
Effective Date;




          (iv) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Paragraph 17(c) of this
Agreement; or




          (v) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment hereunder
otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement, and for purposes of this Agreement,
no such purported termination shall be effective.


For purposes of this Paragraph 5(d), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the
Executive shall be conclusive.




          (e) Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company
or by the Executive (other than a termination pursuant to Paragraph 5(a)) shall be communicated by
a Notice of Termination (as defined below) to the other party hereto. For purposes of this
Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) in the case of a termination for
Disability, Cause or Good Reason, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so
indicated, and (iii) specifies the Date of Termination (as defined in Paragraph 5(f) below);
provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, a Notice
of Termination given in connection with a termination for




7









 




Good Reason shall be given by the
Executive within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 120 days, following the occurrence of
the event giving rise to such right of termination. The failure by the Company or the Executive to
set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Disability, Cause or Good Reason shall not waive any right of the Company or the Executive
hereunder or preclude the Company or the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Company’s or the Executive’s rights hereunder.




          (f) Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Date of Termination” shall mean the
effective date of the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, which date shall be (i)
if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s
death, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated because of the Executive’s Disability, the
Disability Effective Date, (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company (or
applicable affiliated company) for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date on which the
Notice of Termination is given, (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to
Paragraph 2(a), the date on which the Employment Term ends pursuant to Paragraph 2(a) due to a
party’s delivery of a Notice of Termination thereunder, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is
terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which date
shall in no event be earlier than the date such notice is given; provided, however, that if within
30 days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination
notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination
shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of
the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time
for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected).




     6. Obligations of the Company upon Separation from Service.



          (a) Good Reason or During the Window Period; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. Subject to
the provisions of Paragraph 6(e) of this Agreement, if prior to the end of the Employment Term the
Executive’s Separation from Service (as defined in Paragraph 10 below) shall occur (i) by reason of
the Company’s termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder other than for Cause or
Disability, or (ii) by reason of the Executive’s termination of the Executive’s employment
hereunder either for Good Reason or without any reason during the Window Period, the Company shall
pay to the Executive when due under the Company’s normal payroll practices the Executive’s Base
Salary through the Separation Date (as defined in Paragraph 10 below) to the extent not theretofore
paid, and:





          (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive within 30 days after the Executive’s
Separation Date a lump sum payment in cash equal to the sum of the following amounts:




          (A) the sum of (1) the product of (x) the greater of (I) the Recent Annual
Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including by reason of any
deferral, to the Executive (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less
than 12 full months or for which the Executive has been employed by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies for less than 12 full



8









 






months) in respect of the most
recently completed fiscal year of the Company during the Employment Term, if any;
provided that, in any case, the minimum amount determinable under this clause (II)
shall be an amount equal to the bonus that would have been payable to the Executive
under the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan and any successor plan for the most
recently ended full fiscal year period immediately prior to the Effective Date
assuming the Executive had been eligible to receive a bonus thereunder for such
period (such greater amount hereinafter referred to as the “Highest Annual Bonus”),
and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current
fiscal year through the Separation Date, and the denominator of which is 365, and
(2) an amount equal to the sum of (x) 18 multiplied by the amount of the highest
monthly premium for COBRA continuation coverage (within the meaning of Section 4980B
of the Code) under the group health plan of the Company and its affiliated companies
as in effect and applicable generally to the Executive’s peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies during the 12-month period immediately
preceding the Executive’s Separation Date, and (y) any accrued vacation pay to
the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1) and
(2) are hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and




          (B) an amount (such amount is hereinafter referred to as the “Severance
Amount”) equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive’s
Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and




          (C) a separate lump-sum supplemental retirement benefit (the amount of such
benefit hereinafter referred to as the “Supplemental Retirement Amount”) equal to
the difference between (1) the actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this purpose the
actuarial assumptions utilized with respect to the qualified defined benefit
retirement plan of the Company and its affiliated companies in which the Executive
is eligible to participate (or any successor plan thereto) (the “Retirement Plan”)
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date) of the benefit
payable under the Retirement Plan and any supplemental and/or excess retirement plan
of the Company and its affiliated companies providing benefits for the Executive
(the “SERP”) which the Executive would receive if the Executive’s employment
continued at the compensation level provided for in Paragraphs 4(a) and 4(b)(i) for
the remainder of the Employment Term, assuming for this purpose that all accrued
benefits are fully vested and that benefit accrual formulas are no less advantageous
to the Executive than those in effect during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date, and (2) the actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this
purpose the actuarial assumptions utilized with respect to the Retirement Plan
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date) of the
Executive’s actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and
the SERP; and




          (ii) for eighteen months after the Executive’s Separation Date, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those
that would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs and
arrangements described in Paragraph 4(c)(ii) if the Executive’s



9









 






employment hereunder was
continuing, in accordance with the most favorable plans, programs and arrangements of the
Company and its affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to the
Executive’s peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to the Executive’s
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families; provided,
however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical
and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such
other plan during such applicable period of eligibility (such continuation of such benefits
for the applicable period herein set forth is hereinafter referred to as “Welfare Benefit
Continuation”) (for purpose of determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, programs and arrangements, the Executive shall be considered to have
remained
employed hereunder until three years after the Separation Date and to have retired on
the last day of such period); and




          (iii) for six months following the Executive’s Separation Date, the Company shall, at
its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and
provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in the Executive’s sole discretion;
provided, however, that (A) an expense for such outplacement services shall be paid by the
Company or reimbursed by the Company to the Executive as soon as practicable after such
expense is incurred (but in no event later than 30 days after such expense is incurred), and
(B) the total amount of the expenses paid or reimbursed by the Company pursuant to this
Paragraph 6(a)(iii) shall not exceed $50,000; and




          (iv) with respect to all options to purchase registered shares, par value 5.00 CHF per
share, of Noble-Switzerland (“Registered Shares”) held by the Executive pursuant to a
Noble-Switzerland option plan on or immediately prior to the Executive’s Separation Date
(irrespective of whether such options are then exercisable), the Executive shall have the
right, during the 60-day period after the Executive’s Separation Date, to elect to surrender
all or part of such options (to the extent still then outstanding and in effect) in exchange
for a cash payment by the Company to the Executive in an amount equal to the number of
Registered Shares subject to the Executive’s surrendered option multiplied by the excess of
(x) over (y), where (x) equals the average of the reported high and low sale price of a
Registered Share on the date of Executive’s election to surrender such option hereunder as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange and (y) equals the purchase price per share covered
by the option. Such cash payments shall be made within 30 days after the date of the
Executive’s election (but in no event later than the last day of the Executive’s federal
income tax taxable year during which such election was made).




          (v) no later than 90 days after Executive’s Separation Date, all club memberships and
other memberships that the Company was providing for the Executive’s use at the earlier of
the Executive’s Separate Date or the time Notice of Termination is given shall, to the
extent possible, be transferred and assigned to the



10









 






Executive at no cost to the Executive
(other than income taxes owed), the cost of transfer, if any, to be borne by the Company;
and




          (vi) all benefits under the Noble Corporation 1991 Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Plan and any other similar plans, including any stock options or restricted stock held by
the Executive, not already vested shall be 100% vested, to the extent such vesting is
permitted under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”); and




          (vii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or
provide to the Executive when otherwise due any other amounts or benefits required to be
paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program,
policy, practice or arrangement or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies (such other amounts and benefits hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).



          (b) Death. If the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs by reason of the Executive’s death,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to the
Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the
Executive’s Separation Date) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit
Continuation and the Other Benefits and (ii) payment to the Executive’s estate or beneficiaries, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Executive’s Separation Date of an amount
equal to the sum of the Severance Amount and the Supplemental Retirement Amount. With respect to
the provision of Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as used in this Paragraph 6(b) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to
receive, death benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and
its affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of the Executive’s peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating
to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to the peer executives and their beneficiaries
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date
of the Executive’s death with respect to other of the Executive’s peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.




          (c) Disability. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6(e) of this Agreement, if the Executive’s
Separation from Service occurs by reason of the Executive’s Disability, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of the Accrued
Obligations, the Severance Amount and the Supplemental Retirement Amount (each of which shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Executive’s Separation Date),
(ii) the timely payment or provision of the Other Benefits, and (iii) the timely payment or
provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the
term “Other Benefits” as used in this Paragraph 6(c) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive shall be entitled upon Separation from Service to receive, disability benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect




11









 




generally with respect to other of the
Executive’s peer executives of the Company and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the
Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other of the
Executive’s peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.




          (d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason or During the Window Period.





          (i) If the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs by reason of the Company’s
termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive hereunder other than the
obligation to pay the Executive’s Base Salary through the Executive’s Separation Date and
the timely payment or provision of deferred compensation and other employee benefits if and
when otherwise due.




          (ii) If the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs by reason of the Executive’s
voluntary termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, excluding a termination of
such employment by the Executive either for Good Reason or without any reason during the
Window Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive
hereunder other than for (1) the payment of the Executive’s Base Salary through the
Executive’s Separation Date to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the payment of the
Accrued Obligations (which, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 6(e) of this Agreement,
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Executive’s
Separation Date), and (3) the timely payment or provision of deferred compensation and other
employee benefits if and when otherwise due.



          (e) Payment Delay for Specified Employee. Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if the Executive is a Specified Employee (as defined in Paragraph 10 below) on the
Executive’s Separation Date, then any payment or benefit to be paid, transferred or provided to the
Executive pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement that would be subject to the tax imposed by
Section 409A of the Code if paid, transferred or provided at the time otherwise specified in this
Agreement shall be delayed and thereafter paid, transferred or provided on the first business day
that is 6 months after the Executive’s Separation Date (or if earlier, within 30 days after the
date of the Executive’s death following the Executive’s Separation from Service) to the extent
necessary for such payment or benefit to avoid being subject to the tax imposed by Section 409A of
the Code.




     7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.



          (a) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary and except as set forth
below, if it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required pursuant to this Paragraph 7) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any




12









 




such interest and penalties, are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an
additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of
all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any
income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the
Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Paragraph 7(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but
that the Executive, after
taking into account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment, would not receive a net after-tax
benefit of at least $50,000 (taking into account both income taxes and any Excise Tax) as compared
to the net after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting from an elimination of the Gross-Up
Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in the aggregate, to an amount (the “Reduced Amount”) such
that the receipt of payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall
be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced
Amount.




          (b) Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 7(c), all determinations required to be made under
this Paragraph 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such
Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be
made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the “Accounting Firm”) or, as provided below, such other
certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive, which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days
after the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time
as is requested by the Company. If the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall have the option,
in the Executive’s sole discretion, to appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to
make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
“Accounting Firm” hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by
the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Paragraph 7, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If
the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the
Executive with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive’s
applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar
penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the
time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments that will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”),
consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. If the Company exhausts its
remedies pursuant to Paragraph 7(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of
the Executive.




          (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service of the United States (the “Internal Revenue Service”) that, if successful, would require
the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment (or an




13









 




additional amount of Gross-Up Payment) in
the event the Internal Revenue Service seeks higher payment. Such notification shall be given as
soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is informed in writing
of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such
claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, the Executive shall:





          (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to
such claim;




          (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall
reasonably request in writing from time to time, including the acceptance of legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company;




          (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such
claim; and




          (iv) permit the Company and/or Noble-Switzerland to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;


provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including
additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment
of costs and expenses. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 7(c), the
Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole
option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before
any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction, and in one or more appellate
courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties
with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income
with respect to such advance; and provided further, that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to
which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which
a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
taxing authority.




14









 





          (d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Paragraph 7(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim,
the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Paragraph 7(c))
pay the amount of such refund to the Company within 30 days of the receipt thereof by the Executive
(together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the
receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Paragraph 7(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such
claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial
of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid
and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment
required to be paid.




          (e) Unless sooner paid pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 7, (i) any tax
gross-up payment (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v)) to be paid to or for
the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Paragraph 7 shall be paid no later than the end of
the Executive’s taxable year that immediately follows the taxable year of the Executive in which
the Executive remits the related taxes, and (ii) any amount to be paid to or for the benefit of the
Executive pursuant to this Paragraph 7 for expenses incurred due to a tax audit or litigation
addressing the existence or the amount of a tax liability referred to in this Paragraph 7 shall be
paid no later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year that immediately follows the taxable
year of the Executive in which the taxes that are the subject matter of the audit or litigation are
remitted to the taxing authority, or where as a result of such audit or litigation no taxes are
remitted, the end of the Executive’s taxable year that immediately follows the taxable year of the
Executive in which the audit is completed or there is a final and non-appealable settlement or
other resolution of the litigation.




     8. Representations and Warranties.



          (a) The Company represents and warrants to the Executive that the execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action of the Company and do not and will not conflict with or result in a violation of any
provision of, or constitute a default under, any contract, agreement, instrument or obligation to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.




          (b) The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the execution, delivery and
performance by the Executive of this Agreement do not and will not conflict with or result in a
violation of any provision of, or constitute a default under, any contract, agreement, instrument
or obligation to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.




     9. Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the Company’s and its
affiliated companies’ trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, as they may
exist from time to time, are valuable, special and unique assets of the Company’s and/or such
affiliated companies’ business, access to and knowledge of which are essential to the performance
of the Executive’s duties hereunder. The Executive confirms that all such trade secrets and other
information constitute the exclusive property of the Company and/or



15









 




such affiliated companies.
During the Employment Term and thereafter without limitation of time, the Executive shall hold in
strict confidence and shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose or reveal to any person, or use
for the Executive’s own personal benefit or for the benefit of anyone else, any trade secrets,
confidential dealings or other confidential or proprietary information of any kind, nature or
description (whether or not acquired, learned, obtained or developed by the Executive alone or in
conjunction with others) belonging to or concerning the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
except (i) with the prior written consent of the Company duly authorized by its Board, (ii) in the
course of the proper performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, (iii) for information (x)
that becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by
the Executive or the Executive’s affiliates or (y) that becomes available to the Executive on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company or its affiliated companies who is not
bound by a duty of confidentiality, or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation, to the
Company, or (iv) as required by applicable law or legal process. The provisions of this Paragraph 9
shall continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for
any reason.




     10. Certain Definitions.



          (a) Effective Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Effective Date” shall mean the first date
during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Paragraph 10 below) on which a Change of Control
occurs. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Change of Control occurs
and if the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs prior to the date on which the Change of
Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such Separation from
Service (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect
a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of
Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such Separation from Service.




          (b) Change of Control Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control Period” shall mean
the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the third anniversary of such
date; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each
annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof herein referred to
as the “Renewal Date”), the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to
terminate three years after such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date
the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so
extended.




          (c) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:





          (i) the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 15% or more of either (A) the
then outstanding Registered Shares of Noble-Switzerland, excluding any treasury shares (the
“Outstanding Parent Shares”), or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of Noble-Switzerland entitled to



16









 







vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Parent Voting
Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subparagraph (c)(i) the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (w) any acquisition directly from
Noble-Switzerland (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion
privilege), (x) any acquisition by Noble-Switzerland, (y) any acquisition by any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Noble-Switzerland or any company
controlled by Noble-Switzerland, or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a
reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, if, following such reorganization,
merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (A), (B) and (C)
of subparagraph (iii) of this Paragraph 10(c) are satisfied; or




          (ii) individuals who, immediately after the Effective Time of the Transaction,
constitute the Noble-Switzerland Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of such Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director of Noble-Switzerland subsequent to the Effective Time of the Transaction
whose election, or nomination for election by Noble-Switzerland’s shareholders, was approved
by a vote of a majority of the directors of Noble-Switzerland then comprising the Incumbent
Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Noble-Switzerland Board; or




          (iii) consummation of a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation of
Noble-Switzerland, with or without approval by the shareholders of Noble-Switzerland, in
each case, unless, following such reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation,
(A) more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
equivalent security) of the company resulting from such reorganization, merger, amalgamation
or consolidation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of
such company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially
owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Parent Shares and
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger,
amalgamation or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, of the
Outstanding Parent Shares and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(B) no Person (excluding Noble-Switzerland, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of
Noble-Switzerland or such company resulting from such reorganization, merger, amalgamation
or consolidation, and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, directly or indirectly, 15% or more
of the Outstanding Parent Shares or Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, as the case may
be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock (or equivalent security) of the company resulting from
such reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of such company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, and (C) a majority of the members



17









 







of the board of directors of the company resulting from such reorganization, merger,
amalgamation or consolidation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger, amalgamation
or consolidation; or




          (iv) consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets
of Noble-Switzerland, with or without approval by the shareholders of Noble-Switzerland,
other than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition,
(A) more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
equivalent security) of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all
the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Parent Shares and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities immediately prior to such
sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership,
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Parent Shares and
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding
Noble-Switzerland, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of Noble-Switzerland or such
corporation, and any Person beneficially owning, immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the Outstanding Parent Shares or
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 15% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
equivalent security) of such corporation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, and (C) a majority of the members of the board of directors of such
corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement or action of the Noble-Switzerland Board providing for such sale or other
disposition of assets of Noble-Switzerland; or




          (v) approval by the shareholders of Noble-Switzerland of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of Noble-Switzerland.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything to the contrary set forth herein, a transaction or
series of related transactions will not be considered to be a Change of Control if (i)
Noble-Switzerland becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and
(ii) (A) immediately following such transaction(s), the then outstanding shares of common stock (or
equivalent security) of such holding company and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such holding company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Parent Shares and
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction(s) in substantially the
same proportion as their ownership immediately prior to such transaction(s) of the Outstanding
Parent Shares and Outstanding Parent Voting Securities, as the case may be, or (B) the shares of
Outstanding Parent Voting Securities outstanding immediately prior to such transaction(s)
constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of such holding company immediately after giving effect to such transaction(s).




18









 








          (d) Separation from Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Separation from Service” shall
mean the Executive’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and
the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder) with the group of employers that
includes the Company and each affiliated company. For this purpose, with respect to services as an
employee, an employee’s Separation from Service shall occur on the date as of which the employee
and his or her employer reasonably anticipate that no further services will be performed after such
date or that the level of bona fide services the employee will perform after such date (whether as
an employee or an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than 20% of the
average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor)
over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full period of services to the employer if
the employee has been providing services to the employer less than 36 months).




          (e) Specified Employee. For purposes of this Agreement, “Specified Employee” shall mean a
specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code and the regulations and
other guidance promulgated thereunder. Each Specified Employee will be identified by the Chief
Executive Officer of Noble-Switzerland on each December 31, using such definition of compensation
permissible under Treas. Reg. section 1.409A-1(i)(2) as said Chief Executive Officer shall
determine in his or her discretion, and each Specified Employee so identified shall be treated as a
Specified Employee for the purposes of this Agreement for the entire 12-month period beginning on
the April 1 following a December 31 Specified Employee identification date.




          (f) Separation Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Separation Date” shall mean the date on
which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.




     11. Full Settlement.



          (a) There shall be no right of set off or counterclaim against, or delay in, any payments to
the Executive, or to the Executive’s heirs or legal representatives, provided for in this
Agreement, in respect of any claim against or debt or other obligation of the Executive or others,
whether arising hereunder or otherwise.




          (b) In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other
action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of
this Agreement, and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other
employment.




          (c) The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all costs and
expenses (including attorneys’ fees) that the Executive, or the Executive’s heirs or legal
representatives, may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome
thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability
under, any provision of this Agreement, or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a
result of any contest by the Executive, or the Executive’s heirs or legal representatives, about
the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case
interest on any delayed payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f)(2) of the Code. The amounts payable by the Company pursuant to this Paragraph 11(c) shall
be




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paid as soon as practicable after such costs and expenses are incurred, but in no event later
than the end of the taxable year of the Executive that immediately follows the taxable year of the
Executive in which such costs and expenses were incurred.




     12. No Effect on Other Contractual Rights. The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment
provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive, or in any
way diminish the Executive’s rights as an employee of the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, whether existing on the date of this Agreement or hereafter, under any employee benefit
plan, program or arrangement or other contract or agreement of the Company or any of its affiliated
companies providing benefits to the Executive.



     13. Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance. The Company shall (a) during the Employment
Term and thereafter without limitation of time, indemnify and advance expenses to the Executive to
the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware from time to time in effect and
(b) ensure that during the Employment Term, Noble-Switzerland acquires and maintains directors and
officers liability insurance covering the Executive (and to the extent Noble-Switzerland desires,
other directors and officers of Noble-Switzerland and/or the Company and its affiliated companies)
to the extent it is available at commercially reasonable rates as determined by the
Noble-Switzerland Board; provided, however, that in no event shall the Executive be entitled to
indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Paragraph 13 with respect to any proceeding
or matter therein brought or made by the Executive against the Company or Noble-Switzerland other
than one initiated by the Executive to enforce the Executive’s rights under this Paragraph 13. The
rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of expenses as provided in this Paragraph 13
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Executive may at any time be
entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, the
Articles of Association of Noble-Switzerland, any agreement, a vote of shareholders, a resolution
of the Board or the Noble-Switzerland Board, or otherwise. The provisions of this Paragraph 13
shall continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for
any reason.



     14. Injunctive Relief. In recognition of the fact that a breach by the Executive of any of the
provisions of Paragraph 9 will cause irreparable damage to the Company and/or its affiliated
companies for which monetary damages alone will not constitute an adequate remedy, the Company
shall be entitled as a matter of right (without being required to prove damages or furnish any bond
or other security) to obtain a restraining order, an injunction, an order of specific performance,
or other equitable or extraordinary relief from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining any
further violation of such provisions by the Executive or requiring the Executive to perform the
Executive’s obligations hereunder. Such right to equitable or extraordinary relief shall not be
exclusive but shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies to which the Company or any
of its affiliated companies may be entitled at law or in equity, including without limitation the
right to recover monetary damages for the breach by the Executive of any of the provisions of this
Agreement.



     15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.



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     16. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be
given or made hereunder by either party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given or made (i) when delivered personally, (ii) when sent by telefacsimile transmission, or
(iii) five days after being deposited in the United States mail, first class registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the party for which intended at the
following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like
notice, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt):



	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to the Company, at:
	 	                                        
	 

	 	 	 	13135 South Dairy Ashford, Suite 800
	 

	 	 	 	Sugar Land, Texas 77478
	 

	 	 	 	Fax No.: (218) 276-6316
	 

	 	 	 	Attention: Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to the Executive, at:
	 	                                        
	 

	 	 	 	13135 South Dairy Ashford, Suite 800
	 

	 	 	 	Sugar Land, Texas 77478
	 

	 	 	 	Fax No.: (218) 276-6316
	 

	 	 	 	Attn:                     






     17. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit.



          (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the
Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the
Executive’s legal representatives.




          (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns.




          (c) The Company shall require any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) to all or substantially all the
business and/or assets of the Company, by agreement in writing in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive, expressly, absolutely and unconditionally to assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company
would be required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place. As used in
this Agreement, the “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor or
assign to the business and/or assets of the Company as aforesaid which executes and delivers the
agreement provided for in this Paragraph 17(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms
and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law. The Company shall require that the guaranty
of Noble-Switzerland of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall contain a similar
provision regarding any successor or assign of Noble-Switzerland.




          (d) Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any
person other than the parties hereto and Noble-Switzerland, and their respective




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heirs, legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns, any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.




     18. Miscellaneous.



          (a) Amendment. This Agreement may not be modified or amended in any respect except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party against whom such modification or amendment is sought to
be enforced. No person, other than pursuant to a resolution of the Board or a committee thereof,
which resolution is approved by the Noble-Switzerland Board or a committee thereof, shall have
authority on behalf of the Company to agree to modify, amend or waive any provision of this
Agreement or anything in reference thereto.




          (b) Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party hereto
which is entitled to have the benefit thereof, but such waiver shall only be effective if evidenced
by a writing signed by such party, and a waiver on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of the same or any other type of breach on a future occasion. No failure or delay by a party hereto
in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single
or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right or power.




          (c) Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation.




          (d) Nonalienation of Benefits. The Executive shall not have any right to pledge, hypothecate,
anticipate or in any way create a lien upon any payments or other benefits provided under this
Agreement; and no benefits
payable hereunder shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or involuntary
acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.




          (e) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, (a)
this Agreement shall be considered divisible, (b) such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the
extent it is deemed invalid or unenforceable, and (c) in all other respects this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any such provision may be made valid or
enforceable by limitation thereof, then such provision shall be deemed to be so limited and shall
be valid and/or enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.




          (f) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto
concerning the subject matter hereof, and from and after the date of this Agreement, this Agreement
shall supersede any other prior agreement or understanding, both written and oral, between the
parties with respect to such subject matter.




          (g) Captions. The captions herein are inserted for convenience of reference only, do not constitute
a part of this Agreement, and shall not affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.




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          (h) References. All references in this Agreement to Paragraphs, subparagraphs and other
subdivisions refer to the Paragraphs, subparagraphs and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless
expressly provided otherwise. The words “this Agreement”, “herein”, “hereof”, “hereby”, “hereunder”
and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
subdivision unless expressly so limited. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” and “including”
are used in this Agreement, such words shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation”. Words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa,
unless the context otherwise requires.




     19. Agreement Subject to Transaction. This Agreement shall not become a binding agreement unless
and until the Transaction is consummated. In the event the Transaction is not consummated, the
Prior Agreement will continue in effect in accordance with its terms.



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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its
duly authorized officer, and the Executive has executed this Agreement, as of the date first above
set forth.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	“COMPANY”	 	 
	 	 	                                                            	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	“EXECUTIVE”	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 






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