Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC was charged with environmental and maritime crimes for operating the drill ship Noble Discoverer and the drilling unit Kulluk in violation of federal law in Alaska in 2012, the Department of Justice announced. Under the terms of a plea agreement filed in federal court, Noble pled guilty to eight felony offenses and agreed to pay 12.2 million in fines and community service payments, implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan, and be placed on probation for four years. In addition, Noble's parent corporation, Noble Corporation plc, headquartered in London, England, agreed to implement an Environmental Management System for all Mobile Offshore Drilling Un...