Noble Corporation has reached a settlement deal with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) following a two year investigation into its operations and systems aboard the drillship Noble Discoverer.
The company will pay $8.2million in fines and $4million towards community service.
It covers issues related to the Kulluk drilling rig which had previously been crewed by Noble personnel.
At the time of the offences the Noble Discoverer had been under contract with Shell Offshore and Shell Development for the purpose of drilling in Alaska.
A Noble spokesman said the charges were filed the company had taken responsibility and assisted in the investigation.
He said: “These charges principally relate to deficiencies and maintenance issues raised by the US Coast Guard during an inspection of the Noble Discoverer following a successful drilling season in offshore Alaska during 2012.
“Issues noted related to the Kulluk focused on recordkeeping. Concerns related to the Noble Discoverer have been addressed during the renovation and modernization of the rig which occurred as part of an extensive shipyard program conducted in Korea and Singapore.
“In addition to these improvements and upgrades to the vessel, Noble noted that it had strengthened its training programs to ensure that its operations more aptly reflect the Company’s deep commitment to safety, compliance and environmental protection.”
The DOJ said under the terms of the plea agreement, Noble will plead guilty to eight felony offenses, implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan and be placed on probation for four years.
Noble Drilling was charged in an eight-count Information with knowingly failing to maintain an accurate oil record book and an accurate international oil pollution prevention certificate, knowingly failing to maintain a ballast water record book, and knowingly and wilfully failing to notify the US Coast Guard of hazardous conditions aboard the drill ship Noble Discoverer.
Following the deal between Noble and the DOJ, Greenpeace Arctic campaigner, Ian Duff, said: “Shell has proven time and again it can’t be trusted to manage its contractors safely.
“That Shell engaged Noble Drilling, a company now guilty of eight felonies, is the clearest indicator yet.
“Letting Shell back into such a precious and risky environment as the Arctic would be sheer madness, yet that’s what Shell wants to do next summer.