Moratorium in Gulf: Noble Mothballs Ten Rigs During Slowdown -- Not a Bakken Story

Noble mothballs ten (10) rigs due to post-moratorium gulf regulations.

Noble also said in its latest fleet status report that another deepwater rig in the U.S. Gulf, the Clyde Boudreaux, would be without a contract next month because the client decided not to extend its agreement.

If the deepwater rig moves out of the gulf, it will be the fifth to do so. See "gulf moratorium."

New impact statements guarantee drilling ain't gonna start any time soon in the gulf. So much for domestic energy independence. I believe we are more dependent on foreign oil than when "we" first started talking about it.

Great news for Canadian oil sands and the Bakken.

Updates

January 6, 2011: Marathon confirmed story below -- canceled Noble's Jim Day submersible. Number six.

January 4, 2011: another Noble deep-water submersible not wanted in the Gulf. Marathon refuses to accept delivery. This would be number six for Noble.