_____________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: MARCH 4, 2008
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
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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
The
ATWOOD HUNTER
has completed its relocation back to Mauritania
where it has commenced working under the contract commitment with Woodside Energy Ltd,
which has been farmed-out to Petronas Carigali Sdn. This contract commitment, with an
operating dayrate of $240,000, is expected to extend into August 2008.
The ATWOOD
SOUTHERN CROSS has completed its
relocation from the Black Sea to Mediterranean Sea where it has commenced drilling one
well for Turkiye Petrolleri A.O. (“TPAO”) offshore Turkey at a dayrate of
$320,000. This one-well drilling program is expected to be completed around mid April
2008 whereby the rig will then be moved to Italy to drill two wells for ENI Spa AGIP
Exploration & Production Division (“ENI”) at a dayrate of $406,000. ENI
did not exercise their option to drill two additional wells; thus, the current two-well
drilling program for ENI is expected to be completed in August or September 2008.
The
SEAHAWK
continues to work offshore Equatorial Guinea for
Amerada Hess Equatorial Guinea, Inc. (“HESS”) at a dayrate of $74,000 plus
approximately $19,000 of amortized per day revenues. Hess has exercised the first of
its four six-month options which currently commits the rig to March 2009.
The
RICHMOND
completed its life enhancing upgrade in late
February 2008 and is currently drilling one well for Helis Oil & Gas
(“HELIS”). Immediately upon completion of the Helis work, the rig will
commence a firm two-well plus one option well program for Contango Operations Inc.
which, if all wells are drilled, could extend into September 2008.
Thus far, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008,
we have incurred the following zero rate days:
PLANNED
–
RICHMOND
52 Days
ATWOOD
HUNTER
20 Days
ATWOOD
SOUTHERN
CROSS
1 Day
UNPLANNED
–
ATWOOD
FALCON
3
Days
ATWOOD
EAGLE
5 Days
The
ATWOOD
SOUTHERN
CROSS
could incur an additional 4 to 10 zero rate days
prior to commencing the ENI contract. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2008,
the ATWOOD
BEACON
is expected to incur 3 zero rate days for required
inspections, with the SEAHAWK
possibly incurring 3 to 5 zero rate days for some
equipment upgrades.
Additional information with respect to the Company’s Fleet Status Report at March 4, 2008 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Such information is being furnished under Regulation FD and should not be deemed to be filed under Section 19 of the Exchange Act.
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 the construction 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 a war with Iraq; 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, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
ITEM 9.01 EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 99.1 Fleet Status Report at March 4, 2008
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
99.1 |
Fleet Status Report at March 4, 2008 |
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 |
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(Registrant) |
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/s/ James M. Holland |
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DATE: March 4, 2008 |