Per-share earnings were up 74% from the fourth quarter of 2006 and up 9% from the $1.18 per share reported for the third quarter of 2007. Earnings for the full year of 2007 totaled $4.48 per diluted share compared with $2.66 per diluted share in 2006.
Noble noted that contract drilling services revenues for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $761.1 million, up 50% from the same quarter of the previous year. Contract drilling margin during the fourth quarter 2007 was 68%, generating $419 million in net cash provided by operating activities.
Contract drilling services revenues for the full year were $2.7 billion and earnings were $1.2 billion for 2007, up 44% and 65%, respectively, from the full year 2006.
David Williams, chairman and CEO, said: We delivered a strong finish to an outstanding year, with good revenue growth and earnings growth across all four quarters. At the same time, we are on track with our capital spending program and returned added value to our shareholders through our increased dividend and share repurchases.
