f8knov162009.htm
 
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:  NOVEMBER 16, 2009


ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

TEXAS
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

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))
 
 
 
 

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On November 15, 2009, the ATWOOD BEACON commenced its 240 days contract commitment with Hess Equatorial Guinea, Inc. at a dayrate of $110,000.

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

The VICKSBURG (owned and operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Atwood Oceanics Pacific Limited) has been awarded a three month contract extension by NuCoastal (Thailand) Limited (“NuCoastal”) to continue to drill offshore Thailand under a firm program which will now extend to the end of March 2010.  This contract extension provides for two (2) options to extend the program an additional three (3) months which must be exercised by January 4, 2010 and an additional six (6) months which must be exercised by April 1, 2010.  The dayrate will remain at its current level of $90,000 for the extended drilling program and for all option periods.  If all options are exercised, the drilling program could extend to the end of December 2010.


ITEM 9.01                      EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 99.1    Press Release dated November 16, 2009

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 including; the Company’s dependence on the oil and gas industry; the risks involved in the construction of a rig and commencement of operations of the rig following delivery; competition; operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks associated with possible disruption in operations due to terrorism, acts of piracy, embargoes, war or other military operations; 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, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.                                                                           DESCRIPTION

99.1  
Press Release dated November 16, 2009


 
 
 


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:    November 16, 2009