===============================================================================
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 EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: January 25, 2006
ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167
Internal Revenue Service - Employer Identification No. 74-1611874
15835 Park Ten Place Drive, Houston, Texas, 77084
(281) 749-7800
------------
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):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
===============================================================================
-1-
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On January 25, 2006, the Company announced that the RICHMOND's current
contract with Helis Oil & Gas Company ("Helis") has been extended with an award
of eight (8) additional wells to be drilled in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Helis
and the Company have also agreed that the contract could be further extended by
up to four (4) wells subject to reaching mutual agreement on dayrate. After
completing the drilling of the current well in progress, the rig will now have
ten (10) firm wells to drill for Helis, which could take until May/June 2007 to
complete. The operating dayrate for the current and next two (2) wells (expected
to be completed in May 2006) will be $45,000; while the dayrate for the
additional eight (8) wells will be $80,000.
A copy of the press release announcing the RICHMOND contract is filed with
the Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.01 EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO.
EX-99.1 Press Release dated January 25, 2006
Statements contained in this report with respect to the future are
forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable
judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
as a result of various factors: the Company's dependence on the oil and gas
industry; the risks involved in the construction and repair of a rig;
competition; operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks
associated with possible disruption in operations due to terrorism; risks
associated with a possible disruption in operations due to war; and governmental
regulations and environmental matters. A list of additional risk factors can be
found in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September
30, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
-2-
SIGNATURES
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.
ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ James M. Holland
James M. Holland
Senior Vice President
DATE: January 25, 2006
-3-
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
EX - 99.1 Press Release dated January 25, 2006
-4-
EXHIBIT EX. - 99.1
ATWOOD OCEANICS ANNOUNCES RICHMOND CONTRACT EXTENSION
Houston, Texas
25 January 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (a Houston based International Offshore Drilling
Contractor - NYSE ATW) announced today that the RICHMOND current contract with
Helis Oil & Gas Company ("Helis") has been extended with an award of eight (8)
additional wells to be drilled in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Helis and the Company
have also agreed that the contract could be further extended by up to four (4)
wells subject to reaching mutual agreement on dayrate. After completing the
drilling of the current well is progress, the rig will now have ten (10) firm
wells to drill for Helis, which could take until May/June 2007 to complete. The
operating dayrate for the current and next two (2) wells (expected to be
completed in May 2006) will be $45,000; while the dayrate for the additional
eight (8) wells will be $80,000.
Statements contained in this release with respect to the future are
forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable
judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
as a result of various factors; the Company's dependence on the oil and gas
industry; the risks involved in upgrade to the Company's rigs; competition;
operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks associated with
possible disruptions in operations due to terrorism; and governmental
regulations and environmental matters. A list of additional risk factors can be
found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September
30, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Jim Holland
(281) 749-7804
-5-