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<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

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    <TD width="37%"></TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on&nbsp;September&nbsp;14, 2004
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">Registration No.&nbsp;333-
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade width="25%" align="center">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
UNDER<br>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade width="25%" align="center">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>NOBLE ENERGY, INC.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>73-0785597</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">of incorporation or organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>100 Glenborough, Suite&nbsp;100</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>77067</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Houston, Texas</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade width="25%" align="center">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>1988 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR<BR>
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF NOBLE ENERGY, INC.</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade width="25%" align="center">


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>James L. McElvany</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><I>Copy to:</I></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Joe Dannenmaier</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Noble Energy, Inc.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Christi Hollingsworth</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">100 Glenborough, Suite&nbsp;100
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Thompson &#038; Knight LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Houston, Texas 77067
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite&nbsp;3300</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Name and address of agent for service)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Dallas, Texas 75201</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(214) 969-1700</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(281)&nbsp;872-3100</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Telephone number, including</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">area code, of agent for service)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="19%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>securities to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>maximum aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registered(1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>per share(2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price(2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock,<br>$3.33 1/3 par value<br>per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" colspan="3" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">500,000 shares(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$53.70</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$26,850,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$3,401.90</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">(1)&nbsp;Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act, shares issuable upon any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction with respect to these shares
are also being registered hereunder.

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">(2)&nbsp;Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), on the basis of the average of the high and low
sales prices of the Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
September&nbsp;3, 2004.


<P>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h18342exv4w1.htm">1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h18342exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h18342exv23w1.htm">Consent of KPMG LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h18342exv23w2.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>










<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">PART I



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">INCORPORATION OF CONTENTS OF PRIOR<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The contents of Registration Statement No.&nbsp;33-32692 relating to the 1988
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy, Inc.
(the &#147;Plan&#148;) filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on December&nbsp;22, 1989 (the &#147;Prior Registration
Statement&#148;), including all exhibits thereto, are incorporated herein by
reference pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8. The purpose of this
Registration Statement is to register 500,000 additional shares of Common Stock
of the Registrant for offer and sale pursuant to the Plan.

<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">PART II



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to the exhibits incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into the Prior Registration
Statement, the following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement:

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="70%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy, Inc.,
as amended, dated April&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP,
regarding 500,000 shares of Common Stock</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of counsel (included in the
opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP, filed herewith
as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page
of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">SIGNATURES



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
September&nbsp;14, 2004.

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3">NOBLE ENERGY, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">/s/ Charles D. Davidson
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">Charles D. Davidson&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. The undersigned persons hereby
constitute and appoint Charles D. Davidson and James L. McElvany, or either of
them, as their true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to execute in
their names and on their behalf, in the capacities indicated below, any and all
amendments to this Registration Statement and the Prior Registration Statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and hereby ratify and confirm
all that such attorneys-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Capacity in Which Signed</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Date</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Charles D. Davidson<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Charles D. Davidson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
President, Chief Executive<BR>
Officer and Chairman of the<BR>
Board (principal executive<BR>
officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ James L. McElvany<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
James L. McElvany</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Chief Financial Officer, Senior<BR>
Vice President and Treasurer<BR>
(principal financial and<BR>
accounting officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Michael A. Cawley<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Michael A. Cawley</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Edward F. Cox<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Edward F. Cox</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Kirby L. Hedrick<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Kirby L. Hedrick</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Dale P. Jones<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Dale P. Jones</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Bruce A. Smith<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Bruce A. Smith</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">September&nbsp;14, 2004</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit Number</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy,
Inc., as amended, dated April&nbsp;27, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP, regarding 500,000 shares of Common Stock</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of counsel (included in the opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP, filed
herewith as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September 14, 2004
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NOBLE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
73-0785597
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
100 Glenborough, Suite 100
77067
Houston, Texas
(Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
1988 NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF NOBLE ENERGY, INC.
(Full title of the plan)
James L. McElvany
Copy to:
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Dannenmaier
Noble Energy, Inc.
Christi Hollingsworth
100 Glenborough, Suite 100
Thompson & Knight LLP
Houston, Texas 77067
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300
(Name and address of agent for service)
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 969-1700
(281) 872-3100
(Telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed
securities to
to be
offering price
maximum aggregate
Amount of
be registered
registered(1)
per share(2)
offering price(2)
registration fee
Common Stock,
$3.33 1/3 par value
per share
500,000 shares(2)
$53.70
$26,850,000
$3,401.90
(1) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, shares issuable upon any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction with respect to these shares
are also being registered hereunder.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), on the basis of the average of the high and low
sales prices of the Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
September 3, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Item 8. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP
Consent of KPMG LLP
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INCORPORATION OF CONTENTS OF PRIOR
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS
The contents of Registration Statement No. 33-32692 relating to the 1988
Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy, Inc.
(the "Plan") filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on December 22, 1989 (the "Prior Registration
Statement"), including all exhibits thereto, are incorporated herein by
reference pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8. The purpose of this
Registration Statement is to register 500,000 additional shares of Common Stock
of the Registrant for offer and sale pursuant to the Plan.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8. Exhibits
In addition to the exhibits incorporated herein by reference to the
exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into the Prior Registration
Statement, the following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration
Statement:
4.1
1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy, Inc.,
as amended, dated April 27, 2004
5.1
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP,
regarding 500,000 shares of Common Stock
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3
Consent of counsel (included in the
opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP, filed herewith
as Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page
of this Registration Statement)
2
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
September 14, 2004.
NOBLE ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/ Charles D. Davidson
Charles D. Davidson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. The undersigned persons hereby
constitute and appoint Charles D. Davidson and James L. McElvany, or either of
them, as their true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to execute in
their names and on their behalf, in the capacities indicated below, any and all
amendments to this Registration Statement and the Prior Registration Statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and hereby ratify and confirm
all that such attorneys-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Signature
Capacity in Which Signed
Date
/s/ Charles D. Davidson
Charles D. Davidson
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the
Board (principal executive
officer)
September 14, 2004
/s/ James L. McElvany
James L. McElvany
Chief Financial Officer, Senior
Vice President and Treasurer
(principal financial and
accounting officer)
September 14, 2004
/s/ Michael A. Cawley
Michael A. Cawley
Director
September 14, 2004
/s/ Edward F. Cox
Edward F. Cox
Director
September 14, 2004
/s/ Kirby L. Hedrick
Kirby L. Hedrick
Director
September 14, 2004
/s/ Dale P. Jones
Dale P. Jones
Director
September 14, 2004
/s/ Bruce A. Smith
Bruce A. Smith
Director
September 14, 2004
3
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4.1
1988 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors of Noble Energy,
Inc., as amended, dated April 27, 2004
5.1
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP, regarding 500,000 shares of Common Stock
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3
Consent of counsel (included in the opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP, filed
herewith as Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)
4