UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 18, 2011

HERCULES OFFSHORE, INC.

Delaware		0-51582		56-2542838
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2200 Houston, Texas		77046
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 350-5100

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 8.01 Other Events

     On September 18, 2011, Hercules Offshore, Inc. (the “Company”) was conducting an ABS required annual spud can inspection on the Hercules 185 (the “Rig”) in protected waters offshore Angola. While conducting the inspection, it was determined that the spud can on the starboard leg had detached from the leg.

     The Company is preparing to mobilize the rig to Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, where the Company will conduct an initial survey of the Rig in order to attempt to assess the extent of the damage. Until a full inspection of the Rig is completed, it is impossible to determine the extent of the damage, the scope of the repairs necessary to return the Rig to service and the anticipated time needed to complete the required repairs. However, the Company currently estimates that the Rig will be out of service for approximately six months. During this period, the Rig will be at zero dayrate pursuant to its contract with Cabinda Gulf Oil Company. The Company is insured for damage to the Rig, subject to a $3.5 million deductible and other customary limitations and exclusions.

     The information and statements made in this Current Report on Form 8-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning estimated dates for completion of repairs and out of service time. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation, early termination by the customer pursuant to the contract or otherwise, transportation, shipyard and other delays, and other factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent periodic reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or the company’s website at www.herculesoffshore.com. The Company cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these statements.

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.