10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For quarterly period ended: March 31, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                          to

Commission File Number: 1-4221

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	73-0679879
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1437 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 1400, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74119

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(918) 742-5531

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,

if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($0.10 par value)	HP	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒

CLASS	OUTSTANDING AT April 23, 2021
Common Stock, $0.10 par value	107,893,998

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page
PART  I.	Financial Information	3
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	4
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	5
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	6
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020	8
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	43
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	42
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	43
PART II.	Other Information	43
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	43
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	43
Item 6.	Exhibits	43
Signatures		44

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

	March 31,		September 30,
(in thousands except share data and share amounts)	2021		2020
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	427,243	$	487,884
Short-term investments	134,491		89,335
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,806 and $1,820, respectively	209,402		192,623
Inventories of materials and supplies, net	96,504		104,180
Prepaid expenses and other, net	97,857		89,305
Assets held-for-sale	13,076		—
Total current assets	978,573		963,327
Investments	34,569		31,585
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,374,235		3,646,341
Other Noncurrent Assets:
Goodwill	45,653		45,653
Intangible assets, net	77,430		81,027
Operating lease right-of-use asset	56,474		44,583
Other assets, net	21,170		17,105
Total other noncurrent assets	200,727		188,368
Total assets	$	4,588,104	$	4,829,621
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	63,934	$	36,468
Dividends payable	27,327		27,226
Accrued liabilities	160,342		155,442
Total current liabilities	251,603		219,136
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt, net	481,647		480,727
Deferred income taxes	604,536		650,675
Other	163,063		147,180
Noncurrent liabilities - discontinued operations	3,559		13,389
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,252,805		1,291,971
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 112,222,865 and 112,151,563 shares issued as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively, and 107,893,998 and 107,488,242 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively	11,222		11,215
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued	—		—
Additional paid-in capital	516,870		521,628
Retained earnings	2,762,735		3,010,012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,274)		(26,188)
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,328,867 shares and 4,663,321 shares as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively	(181,857)		(198,153)
Total shareholders’ equity	3,083,696		3,318,514
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	4,588,104	$	4,829,621

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating revenues
Drilling services	$	294,026	$	630,290	$	538,807	$	1,241,688
Other	2,145		3,349		3,741		6,608
	296,171		633,639		542,548		1,248,296
Operating costs and expenses
Drilling services operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	230,313		417,743		429,002		817,072
Other operating expenses	1,274		1,315		2,636		2,737
Depreciation and amortization	106,417		132,006		213,278		262,137
Research and development	5,334		6,214		10,917		13,092
Selling, general and administrative	39,349		41,978		78,652		91,786
Asset impairment charge	54,284		563,234		54,284		563,234
Restructuring charges	1,608		—		1,746		—
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	18,515		(10,310)		6,179		(14,589)
	457,094		1,152,180		796,694		1,735,469
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)		(518,541)		(254,146)		(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819		3,566		6,698		5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)		(6,095)		(11,898)		(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520		(12,413)		5,444		(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	—		—		—		14,963
Other	(577)		(398)		(2,057)		(797)
	1,003		(15,340)		(1,813)		(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(159,920)		(533,881)		(255,959)		(489,014)
Income tax benefit	(36,624)		(113,413)		(54,739)		(99,275)
Loss from continuing operations	(123,296)		(420,468)		(201,220)		(389,739)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,293		6,067		9,786		13,524
Income tax provision	—		6,139		—		13,720
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
Net loss	$	(121,003)	$	(420,540)	$	(191,434)	$	(389,935)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Diluted	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net loss	$	(121,003)	$	(420,540)	$	(191,434)	$	(389,935)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes of $(0.1) million and $(0.3) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, and $(0.2) million and $(0.3) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively	457		516		914		1,032
Other comprehensive income	457		516		914		1,032
Comprehensive loss	$	(120,546)	$	(420,024)	$	(190,520)	$	(388,903)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2021

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Treasury Stock
	Shares	Amount								Shares	Amount		Total
Balance, September 30, 2020	112,151	$	11,215	$	521,628	$	3,010,012	$	(26,188)	4,663	$	(198,153)	$	3,318,514
Comprehensive income:
Net loss	—	—		—		(70,431)		—		—	—		(70,431)
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		457		—	—		457
Dividends declared ($0.25 per share)	—	—		—		(27,324)		—		—	—		(27,324)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	72	7		(16,742)		—		—		(295)	14,618		(2,117)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		7,451		—		—		—	—		7,451
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU No. 2016-13	—	—		—		(1,251)		—		—	—		(1,251)
Other	—	—		(381)		—		—		—	—		(381)
Balance, December 31, 2020	112,223	$	11,222	$	511,956	$	2,911,006	$	(25,731)	4,368	$	(183,535)	$	3,224,918
Comprehensive income:
Net loss	—	—		—		(121,003)		—		—	—		(121,003)
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		457		—	—		457
Dividends declared ($0.25 per share)	—	—		—		(27,268)		—		—	—		(27,268)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	—	—		(1,678)		—		—		(39)	1,678		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		6,826		—		—		—	—		6,826
Other	—	—		(234)		—		—		—	—		(234)
Balance, March 31, 2021	112,223	$	11,222	$	516,870	$	2,762,735	$	(25,274)	4,329	$	(181,857)	$	3,083,696

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

6

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2020

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Treasury Stock
	Shares	Amount								Shares	Amount		Total
Balance, September 30, 2019	112,080	$	11,208	$	510,305	$	3,714,307	$	(28,635)	3,642	$	(194,962)	$	4,012,223
Comprehensive income:
Net income	—	—		—		30,605		—		—	—		30,605
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		516		—	—		516
Dividends declared ($0.71 per share)	—	—		—		(78,652)		—		—	—		(78,652)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	—	—		(3,103)		—		—		(110)	7,148		4,045
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	71	7		(18,126)		—		—		(258)	14,718		(3,401)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		10,201		—		—		—	—		10,201
Balance, December 31, 2019	112,151	$	11,215	$	499,277	$	3,666,260	$	(28,119)	3,274	$	(173,096)	$	3,975,537
Comprehensive income:
Net income	—	—		—		(420,540)		—		—	—		(420,540)
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—		516		—	—		516
Dividends declared ($0.71 per share)	—	—		—		(76,754)		—		—	—		(76,754)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	—	—		(47)		—		—		—	47		—
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	—	—		(53)		—		—		(1)	53		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		10,751		—		—		—	—		10,751
Share repurchases	—	—		—		—		—		1,460	(28,504)		(28,504)
Balance, March 31, 2020	112,151	11,215		509,928		3,168,966		(27,603)		4,733	(201,500)		3,461,006

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

7

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(191,434)	$	(389,935)
Adjustment for (income) loss from discontinued operations	(9,786)		196
Loss from continuing operations	(201,220)		(389,739)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	213,278		262,137
Asset impairment charge	54,284		563,234
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	920		900
Provision for credit loss	(227)		1,779
Provision for obsolete inventory	423		684
Stock-based compensation	14,277		20,952
(Gain) loss on investment securities	(5,444)		9,592
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	6,179		(14,589)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	—		(14,963)
Deferred income tax benefit	(46,068)		(106,878)
Other	3,646		(3,779)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(8,498)		(37,717)
Inventories of materials and supplies	7,159		(2,064)
Prepaid expenses and other	(7,951)		(15,962)
Other noncurrent assets	(3,696)		10,107
Accounts payable	25,277		21,764
Accrued liabilities	(451)		(68,146)
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,939		(4,642)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	58,827		232,670
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations	(25)		(28)
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,802		232,642
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(30,745)		(94,312)
Purchase of investments	(106,731)		(36,336)
Proceeds from sale of investments	63,742		43,894
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	—		15,056
Proceeds from asset sales	13,419		24,799
Other	—		(51)
Net cash used in investing activities	(60,315)		(46,950)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(54,230)		(155,890)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	—		4,100
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(2,119)		(3,455)
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition of business	(250)		(4,250)
Share repurchases	—		(28,504)
Other	—		(445)
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,599)		(188,444)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(58,112)		(2,752)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	536,747		382,971
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	478,635	$	380,219
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period:
Interest paid	$	11,473	$	11,440
Income tax paid (received), net	(31,965)		43,509
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Payments for operating leases	8,970		9,626
Non-cash operating and investing activities:
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment	(1,296)		189
Changes in accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets related to the sale of equipment	9,290		—
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU No. 2016-13	(1,251)		—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (“H&P,” which, together with its subsidiaries, is identified as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” except where stated or the context requires otherwise) through its operating subsidiaries provides performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies that are intended to make hydrocarbon recovery safer and more economical for oil and gas exploration and production companies.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we restructured our operations to accommodate scale during an industry downturn and reorganized our operations to align to new marketing and management strategies. This is consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources. Operations previously reported within the former U.S. Land and H&P Technologies operating and reportable segments are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment. As a result, beginning with the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, our drilling services operations were organized into the following reportable operating business segments: North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico and International Solutions. All segment disclosures have been recast for these segment changes. Our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects and our wholly-owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other." Refer to Note 15—Business Segments and Geographic Information for further details on our reportable segments.

Our North America Solutions operations are primarily located in Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. Additionally, Offshore Gulf of Mexico operations are conducted in Louisiana and in U.S. federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and our International Solutions operations have rigs primarily located in four international locations: Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia and United Arab Emirates. 

We also own and operate limited commercial real estate properties. Our real estate investments, which are located exclusively within Tulsa, Oklahoma, include a shopping center and undeveloped real estate.

Fiscal Year 2020 Dispositions

In December 2019, we closed on the sale of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. ("HPIDC"), TerraVici Drilling Solutions, Inc. ("TerraVici"). As a result of the sale, 100% of TerraVici's outstanding capital stock was transferred to the purchaser in exchange for approximately $15.1 million, resulting in a total gain on the sale of TerraVici of approximately $15.0 million. Prior to the sale, TerraVici was a component of the North America Solutions operating segment. This transaction did not represent a strategic shift in our operations and will not have a significant effect on our operations and financial results going forward.

NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Interim Financial Information

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Loss from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

9

COVID-19 and OPEC+ Production Impacts

The outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its development into a pandemic has resulted in significant global economic disruption, including North America and many of the other geographic areas where we operate, or where our customers are located, or suppliers or vendors operate. Actions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by governmental authorities around the world, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby resulting in lower demand for crude oil. In particular, the travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers. Governmental authorities have also implemented multi-step policies with the goal of reopening various sectors of the economy. However, certain jurisdictions began reopening only to return to restrictions in the face of increases in new COVID-19 cases, while other jurisdictions are continuing to reopen or have nearly completed the re-opening process despite increases in COVID-19 cases. Despite the increased availability of vaccines in certain jurisdictions, the COVID-19 outbreak may worsen during the upcoming months, including as a result of the emergence of more infectious strains of the virus or increased business and social activities, which may cause governmental authorities to reconsider restrictions on business and social activities. In the event governmental authorities increase restrictions, the reopening of the economy may be further curtailed. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, some disruptions to our business operations, as these restrictions have significantly impacted, and may continue to impact, many sectors of the economy. Depressed economic conditions exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions in one foreign jurisdiction where we operate have led to an increase in community strikes which resulted in a suspension of our operations. In addition, the perceived risk of infection and health risk associated with COVID-19, and the illness of many individuals across the globe, has and will continue to alter behaviors of consumers and policies of companies around the world; such altered behaviors and policies have many of the same effects intended by governmental authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as self-imposed or voluntary social distancing, quarantining, and remote work policies. We are complying with local governmental jurisdiction policies and procedures where our operations reside. In some cases, policies and procedures are more stringent in our foreign operations than in our North America operations

In early March 2020, the increase in crude oil supply resulting from production escalations from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing nations (“OPEC+”) combined with a decrease in crude oil demand stemming from the global response and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Consequently, we saw a significant decrease in customer 2020 capital budgets and a corresponding dramatic decline in the demand for land rigs. Although OPEC+ agreed in April 2020 to cut oil production and has extended production cuts through July 2021 with gradual reductions in cuts from May to July, there is no assurance that the agreement will continue or be observed by its parties. Although crude oil prices have modestly recovered since March 2020, oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of the near-term production instability and the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and as changes in oil and natural gas inventories, industry demand and global and national economic performance are reported.

These events have had, and could continue to have, an adverse impact on numerous aspects of our business, financial condition and results of operations. The ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 and prolonged excess oil supply on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend largely on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 outbreak within the United States and the parts of the world in which we operate and the related impact on the oil and gas industry, the impact of governmental actions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the development, availability and timely distribution of effective treatments and vaccines worldwide, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.

    From a financial perspective, we believe the Company is operationally and financially well positioned to continue operating even through a more protracted disruption caused by COVID-19, oil oversupply and low oil prices. At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $561.7 million. The 2018 Credit Facility (as defined within Note 6—Debt) has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. We currently do not anticipate the need to draw on the 2018 Credit Facility. Furthermore, the Company 2025 Notes (as defined within Note 6—Debt) do not mature until March 19, 2025.

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. See Note 17—Subsequent Events.

Leases

We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of one to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

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As we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we downsized and relocated our Houston assembly facility to a new location. Refer to Note 16—Restructuring Charges for additional details. As a result, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we entered into a lease agreement for a new assembly facility located in Texas. This lease agreement commenced on January 1, 2021 and will expire on December 31, 2030; however, we have one renewal option for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, which was not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. This contract was accounted for as an operating lease resulting in an operating lease right-of-use asset and minimum lease liability of approximately $15.5 million as of March 31, 2021.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits.

We had restricted cash of $51.4 million and $44.1 million at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $48.9 million and $35.0 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of the total at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, $3.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, is from the initial capitalization of the captive insurance companies, and $45.1 million and $43.1 million, respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in short-term money market securities.

The cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	March 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	427,243	$	336,089	$	487,884	$	347,943
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other, net	48,457		40,744		45,577		31,291
Other assets, net	2,935		3,386		3,286		3,737
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	478,635	$	380,219	$	536,747	$	382,971

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Recently Issued Accounting Updates

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company.

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent	This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.	October 1, 2020	We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, as required. Refer to "—Allowance for Credit Losses" below for additional information.
Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2021
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Upon adoption, the amendments addressed in this ASU will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Allowance for Credit Losses

On October 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating comparative periods, as permitted under the adoption provisions. Upon adoption, we recognized a $1.6 million increase to our allowance for credit losses and a corresponding cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings, net of income taxes, of $1.3 million. This transition adjustment reflects the development of our models to estimate expected credit losses over the life of our financial assets, which primarily consist of our accounts receivable. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13, we have evaluated our customers’ financial strength and liquidity based on aging of accounts receivable, payment history, and other relevant information, including ratings agency, credit ratings and alerts, and publicly available reports.

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Self-Insurance

We have accrued a liability for estimated workers' compensation and other casualty claims incurred based upon cash reserves plus an estimate of loss development and incurred but not reported claims. The estimate is based upon historical trends. Insurance recoveries related to such liability are recorded when considered probable.

We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from $1 million to $10 million per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general, and automobile liability claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters' estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our domestic casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.

On October 1, 2019, we elected to utilize a wholly-owned insurance captive (“Captive”) to insure the deductibles for our workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance programs. Casualty claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019 will remain recorded within each of the operating segments and future adjustments to these claims will continue to be reflected within the operating segments. Reserves for legacy claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019, will remain as liabilities in our operating segments until they have been resolved. Changes in those reserves will be reflected in segment earnings as they occur. We will continue to utilize the Captive to finance the risk of loss to equipment and rig property assets. The Company and the Captive maintain excess property and casualty reinsurance programs with third-party insurers in an effort to limit the financial impact of significant events covered under these programs. Our operating subsidiaries are paying premiums to the Captive, typically on a monthly basis, for the estimated losses based on an external actuarial analysis. These premiums are currently held in a restricted account, resulting in a transfer of risk from our operating subsidiaries to the Captive. Direct operating costs consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for estimated losses of $2.3 million and $6.0 million allocated to the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $2.8 million and $14.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and were recorded within drilling services operating expenses in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Intercompany premium revenues recorded by the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2020 amounted to $8.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, and $15.8 million and $18.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. These intercompany insurance premiums are reflected as segment operating expenses within the North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico, and International Solutions reportable operating segments and are reflected as intersegment sales within "Other." The Company self-insures employee health plan exposures in excess of employee deductibles. Starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Captive insurer issued a stop-loss program that will reimburse the Company's health plan for claims that exceed $50,000. This program will also be reviewed at the end of each policy year by an outside actuary. One hundred percent of the stop-loss premium is being set aside by the Captive as reserves. The stop-loss program does not have a material impact on a consolidated basis.

International Solutions Drilling Risks

International Solutions drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our International Solutions operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of the countries in which we operate have implemented measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby, resulting in lower demand for crude oil. For example, our rigs in the United Arab Emirates remain stacked due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced downturn and continuing oil demand uncertainties. The travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have, at times, also resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers.

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We have also experienced certain risks related to our Argentine operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, we are paid in Argentine pesos. The Argentine branch of one of our second-tier subsidiaries remits U.S. dollars to its U.S. parent by converting the Argentine pesos into U.S. dollars through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market and repatriating the U.S. dollars. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars, including controls that were implemented in September 2019. In September 2020, Argentina implemented additional currency controls in an effort to preserve Argentina's U.S. dollar reserves. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. In the past, the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. In addition, in March 2020, the Argentine government introduced labor regulations that prohibit employee dismissals or suspensions without just cause, for lack of (or reduction in) work or due to force majeure, subject to certain exceptions that may result in the payment of compensation to suspended employees and/or increased severance costs to the company. These prohibitions have resulted in significant challenges for our Argentine operations and it remains uncertain for how long they will be in effect. Further, there are additional concerns regarding Argentina's debt burden, notwithstanding Argentina's restructuring deal with international bondholders in August 2020, as Argentina attempts to manage its substantial sovereign debt issues. These concerns could further negatively impact Argentina's economy and adversely affect our Argentine operations. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations.

For the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $2.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $3.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. In the future, we may incur larger currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars from Argentina or elsewhere, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As of March 31, 2021, our cash balance in Argentina was $22.2 million.

Because of the impact of local laws, our future operations in certain areas may be conducted through entities in which local citizens own interests and through entities (including joint ventures) in which we hold only a minority interest or pursuant to arrangements under which we conduct operations under contract to local entities. While we believe that neither operating through such entities nor pursuant to such arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our operations or revenues, there can be no assurance that we will in all cases be able to structure or restructure our operations to conform to local law (or the administration thereof) on terms acceptable to us.

Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 5.2 percent and 4.9 percent of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our drilling business compared to 8.2 percent and 8.0 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 51.4 percent and 37.6 percent of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America, compared to 66.4 percent and 76.2 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. The future occurrence of one or more international events arising from the types of risks described above could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

NOTE 3 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Noncurrent liabilities from discontinued operations is an uncertain tax liability related to the country of Venezuela. Expenses incurred for in-country obligations are reported as discontinued operations within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

The activity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily due to the remeasurement of uncertain tax liabilities as a result of the devaluation of the Venezuela Bolivar.  Early in 2018, the Venezuelan government announced that it changed the existing dual-rate foreign currency exchange system by eliminating its heavily subsidized foreign exchange rate, which was 10 Bolivars per United States dollar, and relaunched an exchange system known as DICOM. The Venezuela government also established a new currency called the “Sovereign Bolivar,” which was determined by the elimination of five zeros from the old currency. The DICOM floating rate was approximately 1,987,185 Bolivars per United States dollar at March 31, 2021, compared to 436,677 and 80,946 Bolivars per United States dollar at September 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively. The DICOM floating rate might not reflect the barter market exchange rates.

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NOTE 4 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Drilling services equipment	4 - 15 years	$	6,479,582	$	7,313,234
Tubulars	4 years	606,036		615,281
Real estate properties	10 - 45 years	43,398		43,389
Other	2 - 23 years	468,392		464,704
Construction in progress (1)		52,383		49,592
		7,649,791		8,486,200
Accumulated depreciation		(4,275,556)		(4,839,859)
Property, plant and equipment, net		$	3,374,235	$	3,646,341
Assets held-for-sale		$	13,076	$	—

(1)Included in construction in progress are costs for projects in progress to upgrade or refurbish certain rigs in our existing fleet.  Additionally, we include other capital maintenance purchase-orders that are open/in process.  As these various projects are completed, the costs are then classified to their appropriate useful life category.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $104.6 million and $130.2 million, including $0.5 million and $0.9 million in abandonments, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Depreciation expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $209.7 million and $258.5 million, including $0.4 million and $1.7 million in abandonments for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Assets Held-for-Sale

In March 2021, the Company's leadership executed the current strategy, which was initially introduced in 2019, focusing on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. As a result, the Company has undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, all within our North America Solutions segment, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $54.3 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The significant assumptions utilized in the valuation were based on our intended method of disposal, historical sales of similar assets, and market quotes and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 inputs by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures. Although we believe the assumptions used in our analysis are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the analysis and our resulting conclusion.

Impairments

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, several significant economic events took place that severely impacted the demand on drilling services, including the significant drop in crude oil prices caused by OPEC+'s price war coupled with a decrease in the demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain a competitive edge in a challenging market, the Company’s management introduced a new strategy focused on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. This resulted in grouping the super-spec rigs of our legacy Domestic FlexRig3 asset group with our FlexRig5 asset group, creating a new "Domestic super-spec FlexRig" asset group, while combining the legacy Domestic conventional asset group, FlexRig4 asset group and FlexRig3 non-super-spec rigs into one asset group (Domestic non-super- spec asset group). Given the low utilization, previously projected, for our Domestic non-super-spec asset group and all International asset groups, we considered these economic factors to be indicators that these asset groups may be impaired.

At March 31, 2020, we performed impairment testing on our Domestic non-super-spec and International conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 asset groups, which had an aggregate net book value of $605.8 million. We concluded that the net book value of each asset group was not recoverable through estimated undiscounted cash flows and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $441.4 million in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $441.4 million total impairment charge recorded, $292.4 million and $149.0 million was recorded in the North America Solutions and International Solutions segment, respectively. Impairment was measured as the amount by which the net book value of each asset group exceeds its fair value.

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The Company also recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge related to in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory of $44.9 million and $38.6 million, respectively, which had aggregate book values of $68.4 million and $38.6 million, respectively, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $83.5 million total impairment charge recorded for in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory, $75.8 million and $7.7 million was recorded in the North America Solutions and International Solutions segment, respectively.

(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets

We had a (gain) loss on sale of assets of $18.5 million and $(10.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $6.2 million and $(14.6) million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we sold excess drilling equipment and spares, which resulted in a net loss of $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This loss was offset by various gains on asset sales related to customer reimbursement for the replacement value of drill pipe damaged or lost in drilling operations.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, we closed on the sale of an offshore platform rig within our Offshore Gulf of Mexico operating segment for total consideration of $12.0 million with an aggregate net book value of $2.8 million, resulting in a gain of $9.2 million.

NOTE 5 GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment at the reporting unit level, at a minimum on an annual basis, or when indications of potential impairment exist. All of our goodwill is within our North America Solutions reportable segment. 

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we had no additions or impairments to goodwill. As of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the goodwill balance was $45.7 million.

Intangible Assets

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the period in which these assets contribute to our cash flows and are evaluated for impairment in accordance with our policies for valuation of long-lived assets.  All of our intangible assets are within our North America Solutions reportable segment. Intangible assets consist of the following:

		March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Finite-lived intangible asset:
Developed technology	15 years	$	89,096	$	19,205	$	69,891	$	89,096	$	16,222	$	72,874
Intellectual property	13 years	1,500		159		1,341		1,500		103		1,397
Trade name	20 years	5,865		1,000		4,865		5,865		842		5,023
Customer relationships	5 years	4,000		2,667		1,333		4,000		2,267		1,733
		$	100,461	$	23,031	$	77,430	$	100,461	$	19,434	$	81,027

Amortization expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.8 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $3.6 million and $3.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization is estimated to be approximately $3.6 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2021, approximately $7.2 million for fiscal year 2022, approximately $6.5 million for fiscal year 2023, and approximately $6.4 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Impairments

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, due to the market conditions described in Note 4—Property, Plant and Equipment, we concluded that goodwill and intangible assets might be impaired and tested the H&P Technologies reporting unit, where the goodwill balance is allocated and the intangible assets are recorded, for recoverability. This resulted in a goodwill only non-cash impairment charge of $38.3 million recorded in asset impairment charge on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020.

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NOTE 6 DEBT

We had the following unsecured long-term debt outstanding with maturities shown in the following table:

	March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value		Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value
Unsecured senior notes:
Due March 19, 2025	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727
	487,148		(5,501)		481,647		487,148		(6,421)		480,727
Less long-term debt due within one year	—		—		—		—		—		—
Long-term debt	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727

Senior Notes

On December 20, 2018, we issued approximately $487.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.65 percent unsecured senior notes due 2025 (the "Company 2025 Notes"). Interest on the Company 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2019. The debt issuance costs are being amortized straight-line over the stated life of the obligation, which approximates the effective interest method.

Credit Facilities

On November 13, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement by and among the Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, which was amended on November 13, 2019, providing for an unsecured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “2018 Credit Facility”), that is set to mature on November 13, 2024. The 2018 Credit Facility has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. For a full description of the 2018 Credit Facility, see Note 8—Debt to the consolidated financial statements in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. See Note 17—Subsequent Events.

As of March 31, 2021, we had two separate outstanding letters of credit with banks, in the amounts of $24.8 million and $2.1 million.

As of March 31, 2021, we also had a $20.0 million unsecured standalone line of credit facility, for the purpose of obtaining the issuance of international letters of credit, bank guarantees, and performance bonds. Of the $20.0 million, $1.8 million of financial guarantees were outstanding as of March 31, 2021.

The applicable agreements for all unsecured debt contain additional terms, conditions and restrictions that we believe are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality.  At March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

NOTE 7 INCOME TAXES

We use an estimated annual effective tax rate for purposes of determining the income tax provision during interim reporting periods. In calculating our estimated annual effective tax rate, we consider forecasted annual pre-tax income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

Our income tax benefit from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $36.6 million and $113.4 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 22.9 percent and 21.2 percent, respectively. Our income tax benefit from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $54.7 million and $99.3 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 21.4 percent and 20.3 percent, respectively. Effective tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0 percent for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 primarily due to state and foreign income taxes, permanent non-deductible items and discrete adjustments. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 includes a federal tax benefit arising from the ability to carryback the projected fiscal year 2021 federal net operating loss to a year when the statutory rate was 35.0 percent. The discrete adjustments for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are primarily due to tax expense related to equity compensation of $4.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

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For the next 12 months, we cannot predict with certainty whether we will achieve ultimate resolution of any uncertain tax positions associated with our U.S. and international operations that could result in increases or decreases of our unrecognized tax benefits. However, we do not expect the increases or decreases to have a material effect on our results of continuing operations or financial position.

NOTE 8 SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company has an evergreen authorization from the Board of Directors for the repurchase of up to four million common shares in any calendar year. The repurchases may be made using our cash and cash equivalents or other available sources. We had no purchases of common shares during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

A cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared on December 11, 2020 for shareholders of record on February 12, 2021 and was paid on March 1, 2021. An additional cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared on March 3, 2021 for shareholders of record on May 17, 2021, payable on June 1, 2021. As a result, we recorded a dividend payable of $27.3 million within dividends payable on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)
	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)

The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to the defined benefit pension plan for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021		Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	(25,731)	$	(26,188)
Activity during the period
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	457		914
Net current-period other comprehensive income	457		914
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	(25,274)	$	(25,274)

NOTE 9 REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Drilling Services Revenue

The releases for rigs under term contracts result in early termination compensation owed to us, while releases for rigs under well-to-well contracts given outside the notification window provided for in the contract result in notification fees owed to us. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, early termination revenue associated with term contracts was approximately $1.9 million and $8.2 million, respectively, and $7.7 million and $8.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized no notification fee revenue and during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized $2.2 million and $2.1 million, in notification revenue, respectively.

With most drilling contracts, we also receive payments contractually designated for the mobilization and demobilization of drilling rigs and other equipment to and from the client’s drill site. Revenues associated with the mobilization and demobilization of our drilling rigs to and from the client’s drill site do not relate to a distinct good or service. These revenues are deferred and recognized ratably over the related contract term that drilling services are provided. For any contracts that include a provision for pooled term days at contract inception, followed by the assignment of days to specific rigs throughout the contract term, we have elected, as a practical expedient, to recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice, as permitted by ASC 606.

Contract Costs

We had capitalized fulfillment costs of $5.1 million and $6.2 million as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

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Remaining Performance Obligations

The total aggregate transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligations, commonly referred to as backlog, as of March 31, 2021 was approximately $435.3 million, of which approximately $217.5 million is expected to be recognized during the remainder of fiscal year 2021, approximately $154.0 million during fiscal year 2022, and approximately $63.8 million during fiscal year 2023 and thereafter. These amounts do not include anticipated contract renewals or expected performance bonuses. Additionally, contracts that currently contain month-to-month terms are represented in our backlog as one month of unsatisfied performance obligations. Our contracts are subject to cancellation or modification at the election of the customer; however, due to the level of capital deployed by our customers on underlying projects, we have not been materially adversely affected by contract cancellations or modifications in the past. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is inherently uncertain, and, as a result, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the duration and ultimate impacts of the pandemic, including the effect it may have on our contractual obligations with our customers.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following tables summarize the balances of our contract assets and liabilities at the dates indicated below:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Contract assets	$	5,228	$	2,367

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021
Contract liabilities balance at September 30, 2020	$	8,636
Payment received/accrued and deferred	12,858
Revenue recognized during the period	(13,653)
Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2021	$	7,841

NOTE 10 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in drilling services operating expense, research and development expense and selling, general and administrative expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Stock-based compensation expense
Drilling services operating	$	1,529	$	2,651	$	3,292	$	4,887
Research and development	271		181		607		347
Selling, general and administrative	5,026		7,918		10,378		15,718
	$	6,826	$	10,750	$	14,277	$	20,952

Restricted Stock

A summary of the status of our restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested restricted stock outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Shares (1)	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2020	1,280	$	49.81
Granted	698	25.60
Vested (2)	(528)	51.73
Forfeited	(17)	36.18
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2021	1,433	$	37.45

(1)    Restricted stock shares include restricted phantom stock units under our Director Deferred Compensation Plan. These phantom stock units confer the economic benefits of owning company stock without the actual ownership, transfer or issuance of any shares. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, 18,906 restricted phantom stock units were granted and 20,616 restricted phantom stock units vested during the same period.

(2)    The number of restricted stock awards vested includes shares that we withheld on behalf of our employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.

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Performance Units

A summary of the status of our performance-vested restricted share units (performance units) as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested performance units outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Performance Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Performance Unit
Non-vested performance units outstanding at September 30, 2020	337	$	51.09
Granted	313	29.77
Dividend equivalent right performance units credited	48	51.79
Forfeited	(11)	43.40
Non-vested performance units outstanding at March 31, 2021 (1)	687	$	41.55

(1)    Of the total non-vested performance units at the end of the period, specified performance criteria has been achieved with respect to 86,904 performance units which is calculated based on the payout percentage for the completed performance period. The vesting and number of the remainder of non-vested performance units reflected at the end of the period is contingent upon our achievement of specified target performance criteria. If we meet the specified maximum performance criteria, approximately 644,188 additional performance units could vest or become eligible to vest.

NOTE 11 EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE

ASC 260, Earnings per Share, requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share.  We have granted and expect to continue to grant to employees restricted stock grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities under ASC 260.  As such, we are required to include these grants in the calculation of our basic earnings per share and calculate basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Basic earnings per share is computed utilizing the two-class method and is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.

Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods utilizing the two-class method for stock options, non-vested restricted stock and performance units.

Under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income, but not losses, are allocated to unvested restricted stock grants that receive dividends, which are considered participating securities.

20

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(123,296)	$	(420,468)	$	(201,220)	$	(389,739)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
Net loss	(121,003)		(420,540)		(191,434)		(389,935)
Adjustment for basic earnings (loss) per share
Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders	(354)		(1,003)		(714)		(1,994)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	(121,357)		(421,543)		(192,148)		(391,929)
Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders	—		—		—		—
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	$	(121,357)	$	(421,543)	$	(192,148)	$	(391,929)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance units	—		—		—		—
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)

We had a net loss for all periods presented above . Accordingly, our diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation was equivalent to our basic earnings per share calculation since diluted earnings per share excluded any assumed exercise of equity awards. These were excluded because they were deemed to be anti-dilutive, meaning their inclusion would have reduced the reported net loss per share in the applicable period.    

The following potentially dilutive average shares attributable to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Potentially dilutive shares excluded as anti-dilutive	3,920		4,579		4,146		3,579
Weighted-average price per share	$	57.15	$	58.03	$	56.79	$	60.55

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NOTE 12 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We have certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We use the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10 to measure fair value to prioritize the inputs:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.

•Level 2 — Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  This includes pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The assets held in a Non-Qualified Supplemental Savings Plan are carried at fair value and totaled $19.9 million at March 31, 2021 and $19.8 million at September 30, 2020. The assets are comprised of mutual funds that are measured using Level 1 inputs.

Short-term investments include securities classified as trading securities. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income (expense) in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The securities are recorded at fair value.

Our non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at fair value when acquired in a business combination or when an impairment charge is recognized. If measured at fair value in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, these would generally be classified within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The majority of cash equivalents are invested in highly liquid money-market mutual funds invested primarily in direct or indirect obligations of the U.S. Government and in federally insured deposit accounts. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments.

The carrying value of other current assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities approximated fair value at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020.

The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value presented in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Recurring fair value measurements:
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	129,467		—		129,467		—
U.S. government and federal agency securities	5,024		5,024		—		—
Total short-term investments	134,491		5,024		129,467		—
Cash and cash equivalents	427,243		427,243		—		—
Investments	14,623		12,711		412		1,500
Other current assets	48,457		48,457		—		—
Other assets	2,935		2,935		—		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	627,749	$	496,370	$	129,879	$	1,500
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	$	8,973	$	—	$	—	$	8,973

At March 31, 2021, our financial instruments measured at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs include cash equivalents, U.S. agency issued debt securities, equity securities with active markets and money market funds that are classified as restricted assets. The current portion of restricted amounts are included in prepaid expenses and other, and the noncurrent portion is included in other assets. For these items, quoted current market prices are readily available.

At March 31, 2021, assets measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs include corporate bonds measured using broker quotations that utilize observable market inputs.

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Our financial instruments measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs primarily consist of potential earnout payments primarily associated with our business acquisitions in fiscal year 2019.

The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net liabilities at beginning of period	$	8,973	$	19,873	$	9,123	$	18,373
Additions	—		—		—		1,500
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings	—		(3,800)		100		(3,800)
Settlements (1)	—		(4,250)		(250)		(4,250)
Net liabilities at end of period	$	8,973	$	11,823	$	8,973	$	11,823

(1)Settlements represent earnout payments that have been paid or earned during the period.

The following table provides quantitative information (in thousands) about our Level 3 unobservable inputs related to our financial liabilities at March 31, 2021:

Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Unobservable Input		Range	Weighted Average (1)
$1,000	Monte Carlo simulation	Discount rate	1.4	%
		Revenue Volatility	44.4	%
		Risk free rate	2.3	%
$7,973	Probability analysis	Discount rate	0.5	%
		Payment amounts			$5,250 - $7,000	$	6,400
		Probabilities			40% - 60%	53		%

(1)The weighted average of the payment amounts and the probabilities (Level 3 unobservable inputs), associated with the contingent consideration valued using probability analysis, were weighted by the relative undiscounted fair value of payment amounts and of probability payment amounts, respectively.

The above significant unobservable inputs are subject to change based on changes in economic and market conditions. The use of significant unobservable inputs creates uncertainty in the measurement of fair value as of the reporting date. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using Monte Carlo simulation are (i) discount rate, (ii) revenue volatility and (iii) risk-free rate. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate and risk-free rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant changes in revenue volatility in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using probability analysis are (i) discount rate, (ii) payment amounts and (iii) probabilities. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant increases or decreases in the payment amounts or probabilities in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. It is not possible for us to predict the effect of future economic or market conditions on our estimated fair values. 

The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020:

(in millions)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$	481.6	$	480.7
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	535.4		534.5

The fair value for the $535.4 million fixed-rate debt is based on broker quotes.  The notes are classified within Level 2 as they are not actively traded in markets.

The estimated fair value of our investments, reflected on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Investments, is primarily based on Level 1 inputs. As a result of the change in the fair value of our investments, we recorded a gain of $2.5 million and $5.4 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021.

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NOTE 13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following provides information at March 31, 2021 and 2020, related to the Company-sponsored domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”):

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Interest cost	$	753	$	1,097	$	1,506	$	2,194
Expected return on plan assets	(967)		(1,381)		(1,934)		(2,762)
Recognized net actuarial loss	590		669		1,180		1,338
Settlement	398		—		1,413		—
Net pension expense	$	774	$	385	$	2,165	$	770

We recognized net pension expense of $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $2.2 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in other expense within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

According to ASC 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits, if the lump sum distributions made during a plan year exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021. Accordingly, we recognized settlement expense of $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, in other expense within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Employer Contributions

We did not make any contributions to the Pension Plan during the six months ended March 31, 2021. For the remainder of fiscal year 2021, we do not expect minimum contributions required by law to be needed. However, we may make contributions during the remainder of fiscal year 2021, if needed, to fund unexpected distributions in lieu of liquidating pension assets.

NOTE 14 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

Equipment, parts and supplies are ordered in advance to promote efficient construction and capital improvement progress. At March 31, 2021, we had purchase commitments for equipment, parts and supplies of approximately $16.6 million.

Guarantee Arrangements

We are contingently liable to sureties in respect of bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain commitments entered into by us in the normal course of business.  We have agreed to indemnify the sureties for any payments made by them in respect of such bonds.

Contingencies

During the ordinary course of our business, contingencies arise resulting from an existing condition, situation or set of circumstances involving an uncertainty as to the realization of a possible gain or loss contingency.  We account for gain contingencies in accordance with the provisions of ASC 450, Contingencies, and, therefore, we do not record gain contingencies or recognize income until realized.  The property and equipment of our Venezuelan subsidiary was seized by the Venezuelan government on June 30, 2010.  Our wholly-owned subsidiaries, HPIDC and Helmerich & Payne de Venezuela, C.A., filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on September 23, 2011 against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. and PDVSA Petroleo, S.A., seeking damages for the taking of their Venezuelan drilling business in violation of international law and for breach of contract.  While there exists the possibility of realizing a recovery, we are currently unable to determine the timing or amounts we may receive, if any, or the likelihood of recovery. 

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The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various other pending legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. We maintain insurance against certain business risks subject to certain deductibles.  Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our experiences to date and taking into account established reserves and insurance, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. When we determine a loss is probable of occurring and is reasonably estimable, we accrue an undiscounted liability for such contingencies based on our best estimate using information available at that time.  If the estimated loss is a range of potential outcomes and there is no better estimate within the range, we accrue the amount at the low end of the range.  We disclose contingencies where an adverse outcome may be material, or in the judgment of management, we conclude the matter should otherwise be disclosed.

NOTE 15 BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Description of the Business

We are a performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma with operations in all major U.S. onshore oil ang gas producing basins as well as South America and the Middle East. Our drilling operations consist mainly of contracting Company-owned drilling equipment primarily to large oil and gas exploration companies.  We believe we are the recognized industry leader in drilling as well as technological innovation.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, as part of our restructuring efforts and consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources, we implemented organizational changes. We are now focused on offering our customers an integrated solutions-based approach by combining proprietary rig technology, automation software, and digital expertise into our rig operations rather than a product-based offering, such as a rig or separate technology package. Operations previously reported within the former U.S. Land and H&P Technologies operating and reportable segments are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment. As a result, beginning with the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, our drilling services operations are organized into the following reportable operating business segments: North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico and International Solutions. All prior period segment disclosures have been recast for these segment changes. Consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions.

Each reportable operating segment is a strategic business unit that is managed separately, and consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions. Our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects, and our wholly-owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other." External revenues included in “Other” primarily consist of rental income.

Segment Performance

We evaluate segment performance based on income or loss from continuing operations (segment operating income (loss)) before income taxes which includes:

•Revenues from external and internal customers

•Direct operating costs

•Depreciation and amortization

•Allocated general and administrative costs

•Asset impairment charges

•Restructuring charges

but excludes (gain) loss on sale of assets and corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation, and corporate restructuring charges.

General and administrative costs are allocated to the segments based primarily on specific identification and, to the extent that such identification is not practical, on other methods which we believe to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided.

Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is shown in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	249,939	$	29,274	$	14,813	$	2,145	$	—	$	296,171
Intersegment	—		—		—		8,680		(8,680)		—
Total sales	249,939		29,274		14,813		10,825		(8,680)		296,171
Segment operating income (loss)	(109,834)		2,978		(3,458)		(1,072)		(3,433)		(114,819)

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	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	545,961	$	33,079	$	51,250	$	3,349	$	—	$	633,639
Intersegment	—		—		—		10,649		(10,649)		—
Total sales	545,961		33,079		51,250		13,998		(10,649)		633,639
Segment operating income (loss)	(342,667)		(3,319)		(152,469)		376		—		(498,079)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	451,929	$	61,547	$	25,331	$	3,741	$	—	$	542,548
Intersegment	—		—		—		15,802		(15,802)		—
Total sales	451,929		61,547		25,331		19,543		(15,802)		542,548
Segment operating income (loss)	(182,762)		5,720		(11,815)		3,039		(5,559)		(191,377)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	1,070,642	$	73,334	$	97,712	$	6,608	$	—	$	1,248,296
Intersegment	—		—		—		18,545		(18,545)		—
Total sales	1,070,642		73,334		97,712		25,153		(18,545)		1,248,296
Segment operating income (loss)	(290,528)		3,009		(149,354)		(705)		—		(437,578)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

The following table reconciles segment operating loss per the tables above to loss from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Segment operating loss	$	(114,819)	$	(498,079)	$	(191,377)	$	(437,578)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	(18,515)		10,310		(6,179)		14,589
Corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation and corporate restructuring charges	(27,589)		(30,772)		(56,590)		(64,184)
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)		(518,541)		(254,146)		(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819		3,566		6,698		5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)		(6,095)		(11,898)		(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520		(12,413)		5,444		(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	—		—		—		14,963
Other	(577)		(398)		(2,057)		(797)
Total unallocated amounts	1,003		(15,340)		(1,813)		(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(159,920)	$	(533,881)	$	(255,959)	$	(489,014)

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The following table presents total assets by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Total assets (1)
North America Solutions	$	3,610,225	$	3,812,718
Offshore Gulf of Mexico	90,530		93,501
International Solutions	167,023		181,181
Other	82,528		22,144
	3,950,306		4,109,544
Investments and corporate operations	637,798		720,077
Total assets from continuing operations	4,588,104		4,829,621
Discontinued operations	—		—
	$	4,588,104	$	4,829,621

(1)Assets by segment exclude investments in subsidiaries and intersegment activity.

The following table presents revenues from external customers by country based on the location of service provided:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating revenues
United States	$	280,757	$	581,520	$	516,201	$	1,148,335
Argentina	6,979		29,682		8,532		70,291
Bahrain	6,921		10,383		14,470		15,067
United Arab Emirates	—		6,280		990		6,453
Colombia	946		4,905		1,375		5,901
Other Foreign	568		869		980		2,249
Total	$	296,171	$	633,639	$	542,548	$	1,248,296

Refer to Note 9—Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information regarding the recognition of revenue upon adoption of ASC 606.

NOTE 16 RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we reorganized our IT operations and moved select IT functions to a managed service provider. Cost incurred, as of March 31, 2021, in connection with the restructuring are comprised of one-time severance benefits to employees who were involuntarily terminated. The termination date of some of the employees extend beyond March 31, 2021, and such employees are required to render service through their respective termination date in order to receive the one-time severance benefit.

Additionally, as we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility.

The following table summarizes the restructuring charges incurred during the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Corporate		Total
Employee termination benefits	$	17	$	165	$	182
Moving related expenses	1,564		—		1,564
Total restructuring charges	$	1,581	$	165	$	1,746

The following table summarizes the Company's accrual for restructuring charges for the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Accounts Payable		Accrued Liabilities
Accrued restructuring charges at September 30, 2020	$	551	$	—
Charges	1,539		207
Cash payments	(1,716)		(43)
Accrued restructuring charges at March 31, 2021	$	374	$	164

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These expenses are recorded within restructuring charges on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and the related liability is recorded within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2021.

NOTE 17 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. No other terms of the 2018 Credit Facility were amended in connection with this extension. The remaining $70.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility will expire on November 13, 2024, unless extended by the applicable lender before such date.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q (“Form 10‑Q”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-Q, including without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “continue,” or the negative thereof or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates, and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved.

These forward-looking statements include, among others, such things as:

•our business strategy;

•estimates of our revenues, income, earnings per share, and market share;

•our capital structure and our ability to return cash to stockholders through dividends or share repurchases;

•the amount and nature of our future capital expenditures and how we expect to fund our capital expenditures;

•the volatility of future oil and natural gas prices;

•the effects of actions by, or disputes among or between, members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing nations ("OPEC+") with respect to production levels or other matters related to the prices of oil and natural gas;

•changes in future levels of drilling activity and capital expenditures by our customers, whether as a result of global capital markets and liquidity, changes in prices of oil and natural gas or otherwise, which may cause us to idle or stack additional rigs, or increase our capital expenditures and the construction or acquisition of rigs;

•the effect, impact, potential duration or other implications of the ongoing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") and the oil price collapse in 2020, and any expectations we may have with respect thereto;

•changes in worldwide rig supply and demand, competition, or technology;

•possible cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination (with or without cause) of our contracts as a result of general or industry-specific economic conditions, mechanical difficulties, performance or other reasons;

•expansion and growth of our business and operations;

•our belief that the final outcome of our legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial results;

•impact of federal and state legislative and regulatory actions, including as a result of the change in the U.S. presidential administration, affecting our costs and increasing operation restrictions or delay and other adverse impacts on our business;

•environmental or other liabilities, risks, damages or losses, whether related to storms or hurricanes (including wreckage or debris removal), collisions, grounding, blowouts, fires, explosions, other accidents, terrorism or otherwise, for which insurance coverage and contractual indemnities may be insufficient, unenforceable or otherwise unavailable;

•our financial condition and liquidity;

•tax matters, including our effective tax rates, tax positions, results of audits, changes in tax laws, treaties and regulations, tax assessments and liabilities for taxes; and

•potential long-lived asset impairments.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations or results discussed in the forward‑looking statements are disclosed in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A— “Risk Factors,” and Item 7— “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” All subsequent written and oral forward‑looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. Because of the underlying risks and uncertainties, we caution you against placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no duty to update or revise these forward‑looking statements based on changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Executive Summary

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (“H&P,” which, together with its subsidiaries, is identified as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” except where stated or the context requires otherwise) through its operating subsidiaries provides performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies that are intended to make hydrocarbon recovery safer and more economical for oil and gas exploration and production companies. As of March 31, 2021, our drilling rig fleet included a total of 281 drilling rigs. Our drilling services and solutions segments consist of the North America Solutions segment with 242 rigs, the Offshore Gulf of Mexico segment with seven offshore platform rigs and the International Solutions segment with 32 rigs as of March 31, 2021. At the close of the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we had 118 contracted rigs, of which 65 were under a fixed-term contract and 53 were working well-to-well, compared to 79 contracted rigs at September 30, 2020. Our long-term strategy remains focused on innovation, technology, safety, operational excellence and reliability. As we move forward, we believe that our advanced uniform rig fleet, technology offerings, financial strength, contract backlog and strong customer and employee base position us very well to respond to continued volatile market conditions and take advantage of future opportunities.

Market Outlook

Our revenues are derived from the capital expenditures of companies involved in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas (“E&Ps”). Generally, the level of capital expenditures is dictated by current and expected future prices of crude oil and natural gas, which are determined by various supply and demand factors. Both commodities have historically been, and we expect them to continue to be, cyclical and highly volatile.

With respect to North America Solutions, the resurgence of oil and natural gas production coming from the United States brought about by unconventional shale drilling for oil has significantly impacted the supply of oil and natural gas and the type of rig utilized in the U.S. land drilling industry. The advent of unconventional drilling for oil in the United States began in early 2009 and continues to evolve as E&Ps drill longer lateral wells with tighter well spacing. During this time, we designed, built and delivered to the market new technology AC drive rigs (FlexRig®), substantially growing our fleet. The pace of progress of unconventional drilling over the years has been cyclical and volatile, dictated by crude oil and natural gas price fluctuations, which at times have proven to be dramatic.

Throughout this time, the length of the lateral section of wells drilled in the United States has continued to grow. The progression of longer lateral wells has required many of the industry’s rigs to be upgraded to certain specifications in order to meet the technical challenges of drilling longer lateral wells. The upgraded rigs meeting those specifications are commonly referred to in the industry as super-spec rigs and have the following specific characteristics: AC drive, minimum of 1,500 horsepower drawworks, minimum of 750,000 lbs. hookload rating, 7,500 psi mud circulating system, and multiple-well pad capability.

The technical requirements of drilling longer lateral wells often necessitate the use of super-spec rigs and even when not required for shorter lateral wells, there is a strong customer preference for super-spec due to the drilling efficiencies gained in utilizing a super-spec rig. As a result, there has been a structural decline in the use of non-super-spec rigs across the industry. However, as a result of having a large super-spec fleet, we gained market share and became the largest provider of super-spec rigs in the industry. As such, we believe we are well positioned to respond to various market conditions.

In early March 2020, the increase in crude oil supply resulting from production escalations from OPEC+ combined with a decrease in crude oil demand stemming from the global response and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Specifically, during calendar year 2020, crude oil prices fell from approximately $60 per barrel to the low-to-mid-$20 per barrel range, lower in some cases, which resulted in customers decreasing their 2020 capital budgets nearly 50 percent from calendar year 2019 levels. There was a corresponding dramatic decline in the demand for land rigs, such that the overall rig count for calendar year 2020 averaged roughly 430 rigs, significantly lower than in calendar year 2019, which averaged approximately 940 rigs.

We experienced much of our rig count decline during the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2020 as our North American Solutions active rig count declined from 195 rigs at December 31, 2019 to a low of 47 rigs in August of 2020. However, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the market experienced a stabilization of crude oil prices in the $40 per barrel range and subsequently crude oil prices moved toward $50 per barrel as our customers set their capital budgets for calendar year 2021 More recently, crude oil prices have continued to increase, reaching $60 per barrel. That said, however, we do not expect rig activity to move in tandem with crude oil prices to the same extent as it has historically. This is primarily due to our customers having a more disciplined approach to their operations and capital spending. We expect a majority will maintain their activity levels in accordance with their capital budgets for 2021, which were set during a time when crude oil prices were lower and will not adjust spending levels higher as crude oil prices move higher. Along with stabilization of crude prices during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, our rig activity began to increase, and increased more significantly during the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2021. Our North American Solutions active rig count has more than doubled from 47 rigs in August 2020 to 109 rigs at March 31, 2021. We do expect further increases in our rig count for the remainder of fiscal year 2021 as the level of customer capital spending is higher in calendar 2021 than it was in calendar 2020. However, we expect the rate of rig count increases to be at a much more modest pace during the last half of fiscal year 2021 compared to what we experienced during the first half of fiscal year 2021.

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Utilization for our super-spec FlexRig® fleet peaked in late calendar year 2018 with 216 of 221 super-spec rigs working (98 percent utilization); however, the subsequent decline in the demand for land rigs resulted in customers idling a large portion of our super-spec FlexRig® fleet. At March 31, 2021, we had 127 idle super-spec rigs out of our FlexRig® fleet of 234 super-spec rigs (46 percent utilization).

Collectively, our other business segments, Offshore Gulf of Mexico and International Solutions, are exposed to the same macro commodity price environment affecting our North America Solutions segment; however, activity levels in the International Solutions segment are also subject to other various geopolitical and financial factors specific to the countries of our operations. While we do not expect much change in our Offshore Gulf of Mexico segment, we see opportunities for improvement in our International Solutions segment, but those will likely occur on a more extended timeline compared to what we have experienced in the North America Solutions segment.

H&P recognizes the uncertainties and concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, we have managed the Company over time to be in a position of strength both financially and operationally when facing uncertainties of this magnitude. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on the Company, including increased costs as a result of labor shortages and logistics constraints. The global response to coping with the pandemic has resulted in a drop in demand for crude oil, which, when combined with a more than adequate supply of crude oil, has resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices, causing our customers to have pronounced pullbacks in their operations and planned capital expenditures. The direct impact of COVID-19 on H&P's operations has created some challenges that we believe the Company is adequately addressing to ensure a robust continuation of our operations albeit at a lower activity level.

The Company is an ‘essential critical infrastructure’ company as defined by the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and, as such, continues to operate rigs and technology solutions, providing valuable services to our customers in support of the global energy infrastructure.

The health and safety of all H&P stakeholders - our employees, customers, and vendors - remain a top priority at the Company. Accordingly, H&P has implemented additional policies and procedures designed to protect the well-being of our stakeholders and to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our ongoing operations. Some of the safeguards we have implemented include:

•The Company mobilized a global COVID-19 response team to manage the evolving situation

•The Company moved to a global "remote work" model for office personnel (beginning March 13, 2020)

•The Company suspended all non-essential travel

•We are adhering to Center for Disease Control ("CDC") guidelines for evaluating actual and potential COVID-19 exposures

◦Operational and third-party personnel are required to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire prior to reporting to a field location and office personnel are required to complete one prior to returning to their respective offices in order to evaluate actual and potential COVID-19 exposures and individuals identified as being high risk are not allowed on location

◦The temperatures of operational personnel are taken prior to them being allowed to enter a rig site

◦The Company has implemented enhanced sanitization and cleaning protocols

•We are complying with local governmental jurisdiction policies and procedures where our operations reside; in some instances, policies and procedures are more stringent in our foreign operations than in our North America operations and this has resulted in a complete suspension, for a certain period of time, of all drilling operations in at least one foreign jurisdiction

As of March 31, 2020, the Company was aware that 565 out of its approximately 4,600 employees have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the COVID-19 outbreak began, of which we believe approximately 60 percent contracted the virus outside of their work location. We have had no fatalities and 545 of 565 employees who had confirmed cases have returned to work. Upon being notified that an employee has tested positive, the Company follows pre-established guidelines and places the employee on leave as appropriate. Per CDC guidelines, employees testing positive are permitted to return to their worksite after 10 days.  Employees who are considered a Level 1 exposure, but who have been vaccinated are permitted to remain at work. Employees who have not been vaccinated and are considered a Level 1 exposure, but who have not tested positive are required to quarantine and are permitted to return to their worksite after 7 days with a negative test or 10 days without a test and no symptoms. In addition, the Company applies its enhanced sanitization procedures to the employee’s work location prior to allowing employees to re-enter the location. Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, no rigs have been fully shut down (other than temporary shutdowns for disinfecting) and such measures to disinfect facilities have not had a significant impact on service. We believe our service levels are unchanged from pre-pandemic levels.

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From a financial perspective, we believe the Company is well positioned to continue as a going concern even through a more protracted disruption caused by COVID-19. We have taken measures to reduce costs and capital expenditures to levels that better reflect a lower activity environment. The actions we took during fiscal year 2020 included a reduction to the annual dividend of approximately $200 million, a reduction of approximately $145 million in the fiscal year 2020 capital spend, a reduction of over $50 million in fixed operational overhead, and a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses of more than $25 million on an annualized basis. The culmination of these cost-saving initiatives resulted in a $16.0 million restructuring charge during fiscal year 2020. We anticipate further cost reductions in our North America Solutions operations as we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels. Additionally, we expect further cost reductions in our International Solutions operations as we work through local jurisdictional regulations to implement those cost savings measures. The cost reduction measures could lead to additional restructuring charges in future periods. At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $561.7 million and availability under the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined herein) of $750.0 million resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in near-term liquidity. We currently do not anticipate the need to draw on the 2018 Credit Facility.

As part of the Company's normal operations, we regularly monitor the creditworthiness of our customers and vendors, screening out those that we believe have a high risk of failure to honor their counter-party obligations either through payment or delivery of goods or services. We also perform routine reviews of our accounts receivable and other amounts owed to us to assess and quantify the ultimate collectability of those amounts. At March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the Company had a net allowance against its accounts receivable of $1.8 million for both periods.

The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is inherently uncertain, and as a result, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the duration and ultimate impacts of the pandemic, including the timing or level of any subsequent recovery. As a result, the Company cannot be certain of the degree of impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and/or financial position for future periods. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, we adjusted our credit risk monitoring for specific customers, in response to the economic events described above.

Recent Developments

Assets Held-for-Sale

In March 2021, the Company's leadership executed the current strategy, which was initially introduced in 2019, focusing on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. As a result, the Company has undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, all within our North America Solutions segment, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $54.3 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The significant assumptions utilized in the valuation were based on our intended method of disposal, historical sales of similar assets, and market quotes and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 inputs by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures. Although we believe the assumptions used in our analysis are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the analysis and our resulting conclusion.

Sale of Offshore Rig

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, we closed on the sale of an offshore platform rig within our Offshore Gulf of Mexico operating segment for total consideration of $12.0 million with an aggregate net book value of $2.8 million, resulting in a gain of $9.2 million, which is included within (gain) loss on sale of assets on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations during the six months ended March 31, 2021.

Additional Restructuring Charges

During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we reorganized our IT operations and moved select IT functions to a managed service provider. Cost incurred, as of March 31, 2021, in connection with the restructuring are comprised of one-time severance benefits to employees who were involuntarily terminated. The termination date of some of the employees extend beyond March 31, 2021, and such employees are required to render service through their respective termination date in order to receive the one-time severance benefit. This together with additional restructuring activities that could result from our in process cost management review could result in additional restructuring charges throughout the year.

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Contract Backlog

As of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, our contract drilling backlog, being the expected future dayrate revenue from executed contracts, was $435.3 million and $658.0 million, respectively. These amounts do not include anticipated contract renewals or expected performance bonuses. The decrease in backlog at March 31, 2021 from September 30, 2020 is primarily due to prevailing market conditions causing a decline in the number of longer term drilling contracts executed and to some extent an increase in the number of early terminations of contracts. Approximately 50.0 percent of the March 31, 2021 total backlog is reasonably expected to be fulfilled in fiscal year 2022 and thereafter.

Fixed-term contracts customarily provide for termination at the election of the customer, with an early termination payment to be paid to us if a contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the fixed term. As a result of the depressed market conditions and negative outlook for the near term, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, certain of our customers, as well as those of our competitors, have opted to renegotiate or early terminate existing drilling contracts. Such renegotiations have included requests to lower the contract dayrate in exchange for additional terms, temporary stacking of the rig, and other proposals. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, early termination revenue associated with term contracts was $1.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, and $8.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

The following table sets forth the total backlog by reportable segment as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, and the percentage of the March 31, 2021 backlog reasonably expected to be fulfilled in fiscal year 2022 and thereafter:

(in millions)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020		Percentage Reasonably Expected to be Filled in Fiscal Year 2022 and Thereafter
North America Solutions	$	370.4	$	542.4	49.0	%
Offshore Gulf of Mexico	16.0		16.7		—
International Solutions	48.9		98.9		73.9
	$	435.3	$	658.0

The early termination of a contract may result in a rig being idle for an extended period of time, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In some limited circumstances, such as sustained unacceptable performance by us, no early termination payment would be paid to us. Early terminations could cause the actual amount of revenue earned to vary from the backlog reported. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Our current backlog of drilling services and solutions revenue may continue to decline and may not be ultimately realized as fixed‑term contracts and may, in certain instances, be terminated without an early termination payment,” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), regarding fixed term contract risk. Additionally, see "Item 1A. Risk Factors – The impact and effects of public health crises, pandemics and epidemics, such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, have adversely affected and are expected to continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations" within our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Results of Operations

Net Loss We reported a loss from continuing operations of $123.3 million ($1.15 loss per diluted share) from operating revenues of $296.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a loss from continuing operations of $420.5 million ($3.88 loss per diluted share) from operating revenues of $633.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Included in the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 is income of $2.3 million ($0.02 per diluted share) from discontinued operations. Including discontinued operations, we recorded a net loss of $121.0 million ($1.13 loss per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of $420.5 million ($3.88 loss per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Research and Development For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we incurred $5.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of research and development expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $39.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $42.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The $2.7 million decrease in fiscal year 2021 compared to the same period in fiscal year 2020 is primarily due to a lower number of personnel, partially offset by higher accrued variable compensation expense.

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Asset Impairment Charge In March 2021, we have undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, all within our North America Solutions segment, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million and were reclassified as held-for-sale on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021. This resulted in an impairment charge of $54.3 million ($42.0 million, net of tax, or $0.39 per diluted share), which is included in asset impairment charge on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to an impairment charge of $563.2 million ($437.5 million net of tax, or $5.21 per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Restructuring Charges We incurred $1.6 million in restructuring expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2021. These expenses were comprised of one-time severance benefits to IT employees who were involuntarily terminated and one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility.

Income Taxes We had an income tax benefit of $36.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to an income tax benefit of $113.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Our statutory federal income tax rate for fiscal year 2021 is 21.0 percent (before incremental state and foreign taxes).

North America Solutions Operations Segment

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020 (1)		% Change
Operating revenues	$	249,939	$	545,961	(54.2)
Direct operating expenses	185,841		346,564		(46.4)
Segment gross margin	64,098		199,397		(67.9)
Depreciation	99,917		117,334		(14.8)
Research and development	5,329		5,663		(5.9)
Selling, general and administrative expense	12,960		12,519		3.5
Asset impairment charge	54,284		406,548		(86.6)
Restructuring charges	1,442		—		—
Segment operating loss	$	(109,834)	$	(342,667)	(67.9)
Operating Statistics (2):
Average active rigs	105		190		(44.7)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	109		150		(27.3)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	242		299		(19.1)
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	27,290	$	77,166	(64.6)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

(2)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

Segment Gross Margin The North America Solutions segment gross margin was $64.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $199.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2020.  The decrease was primarily driven by lower activity levels. Revenues were $249.9 million and $546.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels, lower early termination revenue and lower average rig operating rates. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 we reported no early termination revenue compared to $8.2 million during the same period of fiscal year 2020. Fixed‑term contracts customarily provide for termination at the election of the customer, with an early termination payment to be paid to us if a contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the fixed term (except in limited circumstances including sustained unsatisfactory performance by us). Direct operating expenses decreased to $185.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $346.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was due to lower activity levels, partially offset by higher idle rig expense and rig recommissioning expense driven by sequential activity increases.

Depreciation Depreciation decreased to $99.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $117.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to rig impairments during fiscal year 2020 and ongoing low levels of capital expenditures.

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Asset Impairment Charge In March 2021, we have undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale.. This resulted in an impairment charge of $54.3 million ($42.0 million, net of tax, or $0.39 per diluted share), for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to an impairment charge of $406.5 million ($313.7 million net of tax, or $3.76 per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Restructuring Charges For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred $1.4 million in restructuring charges. These expenses were comprised of one-time severance benefits to IT employees who were involuntarily terminated and one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility.

Offshore Gulf of Mexico Operations Segment

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	29,274	$	33,079	(11.5)
Direct operating expenses	23,069		32,648		(29.3)
Segment gross margin	6,205		431		1,339.7
Depreciation	2,593		2,842		(8.8)
Selling, general and administrative expense	634		908		(30.2)
Segment operating income (loss)	$	2,978	$	(3,319)	(189.7)
Operating Statistics (1):
Average active rigs	4		5		(20.0)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	4		5		(20.0)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	7		8		(12.5)
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	5,193	$	6,763	(23.2)

(1)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

Segment Gross Margin During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Offshore Gulf of Mexico segment gross margin was $6.2 million compared to a gross margin of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was driven by the absence of $3.7 million of bad debt expense that was incurred during the three months ending March 31, 2020 and due to a rig that was mobilizing to the customer platform and generating losses during the three months ended March 31, 2020. We recorded an 11.5 percent decrease in operating revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels partially offset by the mix of rigs working as compared to being on standby or mobilization rates. Direct operating expenses decreased to $23.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $32.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily driven by the factors described above.

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International Solutions Operations Segment

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	14,813	$	51,250	(71.1)
Direct operating expenses	16,718		37,964		(56.0)
Segment gross margin	(1,905)		13,286		(114.3)
Depreciation	415		7,821		(94.7)
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,138		1,248		(8.8)
Asset impairment charge	—		156,686		(100.0)
Segment operating loss	$	(3,458)	$	(152,469)	(97.7)
Operating Statistics (1):
Average active rigs	4		17		(76.5)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	5		15		(66.7)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	32		32		—
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	1,613	$	2,209	(27.0)

(1)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

Segment Gross Margin The International Solutions segment gross margin was $(1.9) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a gross margin of $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The change was primarily driven by lower activity coupled with fixed minimum levels of country overhead during the three months ended March 31, 2021. We recorded a 71.1 percent decrease in operating revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels. Direct operating expenses decreased to $16.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $38.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was driven by the factors described above.

Asset Impairment Charge During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded no impairment charges, compared to an impairment charge of $156.7 million ($123.8 million net of tax, or $1.45 per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Other Operations

Results of our other operations, excluding corporate restructuring charges, corporate selling, general and administrative costs and corporate depreciation, are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	10,825	$	13,998	(22.7)
Direct operating expenses	11,222		12,531		(10.4)
Gross margin	(397)		1,467		(127.1)
Depreciation	359		294		22.1
Research and development	5		551		(99.1)
Selling, general and administrative expense	311		246		26.4
Operating income (loss)	$	(1,072)	$	376	(385.1)

Gross Margin On October 1, 2019, we elected to utilize the Captive to insure the deductibles for our workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability claims programs. Direct operating costs consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for estimated losses of $2.3 million and $6.0 million allocated to the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in accruals for estimated losses is primarily due to actuarial valuation adjustments by our third-party actuary as well as lower activity levels during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Intercompany premium revenues recorded by the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 amounted to $8.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. 

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Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Results of Operations

Net Loss We reported a loss from continuing operations of $201.2 million ($1.87 loss per diluted share) from operating revenues of $542.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a loss from continuing operations of $389.7 million ($3.61 loss per diluted share) from operating revenues of $1.2 billion for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Included in the net loss for the six months ended March 31, 2021 is income of $9.8 million ($0.09 per diluted share) from discontinued operations. Including discontinued operations, we recorded a net loss of $191.4 million ($1.78 loss per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of $389.9 million ($3.61 loss per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2020.

Research and Development For the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we incurred $10.9 million and $13.1 million, respectively, of research and development expenses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $78.7 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $91.8 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The $13.1 million decrease in fiscal year 2021 compared to the same period in fiscal year 2020 is primarily due to a lower number of personnel, partially offset by higher accrued variable compensation expense.

Asset Impairment Charge In March 2021, we have undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, all within our North America Solutions segment, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021. This resulted in an impairment charge of $54.3 million ($42.0 million, net of tax, or $0.39 per diluted share), which is included in asset impairment charge on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021, compared to an impairment charge of $563.2 million ($437.5 million net of tax, or $5.21 per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2020.

Restructuring Charges We incurred $1.7 million in restructuring expenses during the six months ended March 31, 2021. These expenses were primarily comprised of one-time severance benefits to IT employees who were involuntarily terminated and one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility.

Income Taxes We had an income tax benefit of $54.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 (which includes discrete tax expense of approximately $4.1 million related to equity compensation) compared to income tax benefit of $99.3 million (which included discrete tax expense of approximately $2.4 million related to equity compensation) for the six months ended March 31, 2020. Our statutory federal income tax rate for fiscal year 2021 is 21.0 percent (before incremental state and foreign taxes).

North America Solutions Operations Segment

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020 (1)		% Change
Operating revenues	$	451,929	$	1,070,642	(57.8)
Direct operating expenses	343,150		679,546		(49.5)
Segment gross margin	108,779		391,096		(72.2)
Depreciation	200,241		233,399		(14.2)
Research and development	10,795		12,412		(13.0)
Selling, general and administrative expense	24,640		29,265		(15.8)
Asset impairment charge	54,284		406,548		(86.6)
Restructuring charges	1,581		—		—
Segment operating loss	$	(182,762)	$	(290,528)	(37.1)
Operating Statistics (2):
Average active rigs	93		191		(51.3)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	109		150		(27.3)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	242		299		(19.1)
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	46,079	$	136,734	(66.3)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

(2)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

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Segment Gross Margin The North America Solutions segment gross margin was $108.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $391.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2020.  The decrease was primarily driven by lower activity levels. Revenues were $451.9 million and $1.1 billion in the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels. Included in revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2021 is early termination revenue of $5.8 million compared to $8.3 million during the same period of fiscal year 2020. Fixed‑term contracts customarily provide for termination at the election of the customer, with an early termination payment to be paid to us if a contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the fixed term (except in limited circumstances including sustained unsatisfactory performance by us). Direct operating expenses decreased to $343.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $679.5 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020 primarily due to lower activity levels.

Depreciation Depreciation decreased to $200.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $233.4 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to the lower carrying cost of our impaired assets.

Asset Impairment Charge In March 2021, we have undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale.. This resulted in an impairment charge of $54.3 million ($42.0 million, net of tax, or $0.39 per diluted share), for the six months ended March 31, 2021, compared to an impairment charge of $406.5 million ($313.7 million net of tax, or $3.76 per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2020.

Restructuring Charges For the six months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred $1.6 million in restructuring charges. These expenses were primarily comprised of one-time severance benefits to IT employees who were involuntarily terminated and one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility .

Offshore Gulf of Mexico Operations Segment

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	61,547	$	73,334	(16.1)
Direct operating expenses	49,325		62,693		(21.3)
Segment gross margin	12,222		10,641		14.9
Depreciation	5,199		5,587		(6.9)
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,303		2,045		(36.3)
Segment operating income	$	5,720	$	3,009	90.1
Operating Statistics (1):
Average active rigs	5		6		(16.7)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	4		5		(20.0)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	7		8		(12.5)
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	13,061	$	16,663	(21.6)

(1)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

Segment Gross Margin During the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Offshore Gulf of Mexico segment gross margin was $12.2 million compared to a gross margin of $10.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was driven by the absence of $3.7 million of bad debt expense that was incurred during the six months ending March 31, 2020 and due to a rig that was mobilizing to the customer platform and generating losses during the six months ended March 31, 2020. We recorded a 16.1 percent decrease in operating revenue during the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels partially offset by the mix of rigs working as compared to being on standby or mobilization rates. Direct operating expenses decreased to $49.3 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $62.7 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and was primarily driven by the factors described above.

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International Solutions Operations Segment

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except operating statistics)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	25,331	$	97,712	(74.1)
Direct operating expenses	34,241		72,039		(52.5)
Segment gross margin	(8,910)		25,673		(134.7)
Depreciation	788		15,638		(95.0)
Selling, general and administrative expense	2,117		2,703		(21.7)
Asset impairment charge	—		156,686		(100.0)
Segment operating loss	$	(11,815)	$	(149,354)	(92.1)
Operating Statistics (1):
Average active rigs	4		17		(76.5)
Number of active rigs at the end of period	5		15		(66.7)
Number of available rigs at the end of period	32		32		—
Reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses	$	4,172	$	3,796	9.9

(1)These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results in terms of activity, utilization and other key results. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, these operating metrics replaced previously used per day metrics. As a result, prior year comparative information is also provided above.

Segment Gross Margin The International Solutions segment gross margin was $(8.9) million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a gross margin of $25.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. The change was primarily driven by lower activity levels coupled with fixed minimum levels of country overhead during the six months ended March 31, 2021. We recorded a 74.1 percent decrease in operating revenue during the six months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020. The decline in operating revenue is primarily due to lower activity levels. Direct operating expenses decreased to $34.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $72.0 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and was driven by the factors described above.

Asset Impairment Charge During the six months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded no impairment charges, compared to an impairment charge of $156.7 million ($123.8 million net of tax, or $1.45 per diluted share) for the six months ended March 31, 2020.

Other Operations

Results of our other operations, excluding corporate restructuring charges, corporate selling, general and administrative costs and corporate depreciation, are as follows:

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		% Change
Operating revenues	$	19,543	$	25,153	(22.3)
Direct operating expenses	14,972		24,076		(37.8)
Gross margin	4,571		1,077		324.4
Depreciation	718		615		16.7
Research and development	122		680		(82.1)
Selling, general and administrative expense	692		487		42.1
Operating income (loss)	$	3,039	$	(705)	531.1

Gross Margin On October 1, 2019, we elected to utilize the Captive to insure the deductibles for our workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability claims programs. Direct operating costs consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for estimated losses of $2.8 million and $14.7 million allocated to the Captive during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in accruals for estimated losses is primarily due to actuarial valuation adjustments by our third-party actuary as well as lower activity levels during the six months ended March 31, 2021. Intercompany premium revenues recorded by the Captive during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 amounted to $15.8 million and $18.2 million, respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

Our sources of available liquidity include existing cash balances on hand, cash flows from operations, and availability under the 2018 Credit Facility. Our liquidity requirements include meeting ongoing working capital needs, funding our capital expenditure projects, paying dividends declared, and repaying our outstanding indebtedness. Historically, we have financed operations primarily through internally generated cash flows. During periods when internally generated cash flows are not sufficient to meet liquidity needs, we may utilize cash on hand, borrow from available credit sources, access capital markets or sell our marketable securities.  Likewise, if we are generating excess cash flows or have cash balances on hand beyond our near-term needs, we may invest in highly rated short‑term money market and debt securities. These investments can include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agency issued debt securities, corporate bonds and commercial paper, certificates of deposit and money market funds. Our marketable securities are recorded at fair value.

We may seek to access the debt and equity capital markets from time to time to raise additional capital, increase liquidity as necessary, fund our additional purchases, exchange or redeem senior notes, or repay any amounts under the 2018 Credit Facility. Our ability to access the debt and equity capital markets depends on a number of factors, including our credit rating, market and industry conditions and market perceptions of our industry, general economic conditions, our revenue backlog and our capital expenditure commitments.

The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the oil price collapse in 2020 have had significant adverse consequences for general economic, financial and business conditions, as well as for our business and financial position and the business and financial position of our customers, suppliers and vendors and may, among other things, impact our ability to generate cash flows from operations, access the capital markets on acceptable terms or at all and affect our future need or ability to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. In addition to our potential sources of funding, the effects of such global events may impact our liquidity or need to alter our allocation or sources of capital, implement additional cost reduction measures and further change our financial strategy. Although the COVID-19 outbreak and the oil price collapse could have a broad range of effects on our sources and uses of liquidity, the ultimate effect thereon, if any, will depend on future developments, which cannot be predicted at this time.

Cash Flows

Our cash flows fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including, among others, the number of our drilling rigs under contract, the dayrates we receive under those contracts, the efficiency with which we operate our drilling units, the timing of collections on outstanding accounts receivable, the timing of payments to our vendors for operating costs, and capital expenditures, all of which was impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and the oil price collapse in 2020. As our revenues increase, operating net working capital is typically a use of capital, while conversely, as our revenues decrease, operating net working capital is typically a source of capital. To date, general inflationary trends have not had a material effect on our operating margins.

As of March 31, 2021, we had $427.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and $134.5 million of short-term investments. Our cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are presented below:

	Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	58,802	$	232,642
Investing activities	(60,315)		(46,950)
Financing activities	(56,599)		(188,444)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	(58,112)	$	(2,752)

Operating Activities

For the purpose of understanding the impact on our cash flows from operating activities, operating net working capital is calculated as current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and assets held-for-sale, less current liabilities, excluding dividends payable, short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt. Operating net working capital was $179.5 million as of March 31, 2021 compared to $194.2 million as of September 30, 2020. The sequential decrease in net working capital was primarily driven by the collection of a $32.1 million income tax receivable during the three months ended March 31, 2021, partially offset by activity-driven increases in other components of our operating net working capital. Included in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2021 was $18.9 million of income tax receivables. Cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $58.8 million and $232.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by lower operating activity.

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Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures Our capital expenditures during the six months ended March 31, 2021 were $30.7 million compared to $94.3 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease is driven by lower maintenance capital expenditures as a result of lower activity.

Purchase of Investments Our net purchases of investments during the six months ended March 31, 2021 were $43.0 million compared to net sales of $7.6 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in purchases is attributable to our strategy to optimize our returns on investment.

Sale of Subsidiary In December 2019, we closed on the sale of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co., TerraVici Drilling Solutions, Inc. ("TerraVici"). As a result of the sale, 100% of TerraVici's outstanding capital stock was transferred to the purchaser in exchange for approximately $15.1 million, resulting in a total gain on the sale of TerraVici of approximately $15.0 million.

Marketable Securities As of March 31, 2021, our marketable securities primarily consist of common shares in Schlumberger, Ltd. that, at the close of the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, had a fair value of $12.7 million. The value of our securities are subject to fluctuation in the market and may vary considerably over time. Our marketable securities are recorded at fair value on our balance sheet.

Financing Activities

Repurchase of Shares We have an evergreen authorization from the Board of Directors (the "Board") for the repurchase of up to four million common shares in any calendar year. The repurchases may be made using our cash and cash equivalents or other available sources. We had no purchases of common shares during the six months ended March 31, 2021. We had $28.5 million cash outflow for repurchases of common shares during the six months ended March 31, 2020.

Dividends We paid dividends of $0.50 and $1.42 per share during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total dividends paid were $54.2 million and $155.9 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. A cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared on March 3, 2021 for shareholders of record on May 17, 2021, payable on June 1, 2021. The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of the Board and subject to our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and other factors the Board deems relevant.

Credit Facilities

On November 13, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement by and among the Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, which was amended on November 13, 2019, providing for an unsecured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “2018 Credit Facility”), that is set to mature on November 13, 2024. The 2018 Credit Facility has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. For a full description of the 2018 Credit Facility, see Note 6—Debt to the consolidated financial statements in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

As of March 31, 2021, we had 2 outstanding letters of credit with banks, in the amounts of $24.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, we also had a $20.0 million unsecured standalone line of credit facility, for the purpose of obtaining the issuance of international letters of credit, bank guarantees, and performance bonds. Of the $20.0 million, $1.8 million of financial guarantees were outstanding as of March 31, 2021. The applicable agreements for all unsecured debt contain additional terms, conditions and restrictions that we believe are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality. At March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants, and we anticipate that we will continue to be in compliance during the next quarter of fiscal year 2021.

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. See Note 17—Subsequent Events.

Senior Notes

On December 20, 2018, we issued approximately $487.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.65 percent unsecured senior notes due 2025 (the "Company 2025 Notes"). Interest on the Company 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2019. The debt issuance costs are being amortized straight-line over the stated life of the obligation, which approximates the effective interest method.

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Future Cash Requirements

Our operating cash requirements, scheduled debt repayments, interest payments, any declared dividends, and estimated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2021 are expected to be funded through current cash and cash to be provided from operating activities. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to generate cash flows at current levels.  If needed, we may decide to obtain additional funding from our $750.0 million 2018 Credit Facility. Our indebtedness under our unsecured senior notes totaled $487.1 million at March 31, 2021 and matures on March 19, 2025. 

As of March 31, 2021, we had a $604.5 million deferred tax liability on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, primarily related to temporary differences between the financial and income tax basis of property, plant and equipment. Our increased levels of capital expenditures over the last several years have been subject to accelerated depreciation methods (including bonus depreciation) available under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, enabling us to defer a portion of cash tax payments to future years. Future levels of capital expenditures and results of operations will determine the timing and amount of future cash tax payments. We expect to be able to meet any such obligations utilizing cash and investments on hand, as well as cash generated from ongoing operations.

The long-term debt to total capitalization ratio was 13.6 percent and 12.8 percent at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. For additional information regarding debt agreements, refer to Note 6—Debt to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

There were no other significant changes in our financial position since September 30, 2020.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as that term is defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K. For information regarding our drilling contract backlog, see Item 2— “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contract Backlog”.

Material Commitments

Material commitments as reported in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K have not changed significantly at March 31, 2021, other than those disclosed in Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our accounting policies and estimates that are critical or the most important to understand our financial condition and results of operations, and that require management to make the most difficult judgments, are described in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in these critical accounting policies and estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Risks and Uncertainties to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for recently adopted accounting standards and new accounting standards not yet adopted.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For a description of our market risks, see

•Note 12—Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of Part I hereof with regard to equity price risk which is incorporated herein by reference;

•“Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 20, 2020;

•Note 6—Debt to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of Part I hereof with regard to interest rate risk which is incorporated herein by reference; and

•Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Risks and Uncertainties to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of Part I hereof with regard to foreign currency exchange rate risk which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2021 at ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

There have been no material changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. Our assessment of our system of internal controls included the consideration of a high proportion of our control owners and control performers working remotely due to Federal and State social distancing guidelines.

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our legal proceedings.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS 

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A— “Risk Factors” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following documents are included as exhibits to this Form 10-Q. Those exhibits below that are incorporated herein by reference are indicated as such by the information supplied in the parenthetical thereafter. If no parenthetical appears after an exhibit, the exhibit is filed or furnished herewith.

Exhibit Number	Description
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8‑K filed on March 14, 2012, SEC File No. 001‑04221).
3.2	Amended and Restated By‑laws of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8‑K filed on December 5, 2017, SEC File No. 001‑04221).
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed on April 29, 2021, formatted in Inline Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

		HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
		(Registrant)
Date:	April 29, 2021	By:	/S/ JOHN W. LINDSAY
			John W. Lindsay Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:	April 29, 2021	By:	/S/ MARK W. SMITH
			Mark W. Smith Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, John W. Lindsay, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2021	/S/ JOHN W. LINDSAY
	John W. Lindsay Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Mark W. Smith, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2021	/S/ MARK W. SMITH
	Mark W. Smith Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), John W. Lindsay, as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mark W. Smith, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of his knowledge, that:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/S/ JOHN W. LINDSAY	/S/ MARK W. SMITH
John W. Lindsay Director, President and Chief Executive Officer	Mark W. Smith Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
April 29, 2021	April 29, 2021

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Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 23, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-4221
Entity Registrant Name	HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	73-0679879
Entity Address, Address Line One	1437 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 1400
Entity Address, City or Town	Tulsa
Entity Address, State or Province	OK
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	74119
City Area Code	918
Local Phone Number	742-5531
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
Trading Symbol	HP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		107,893,998
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Central Index Key	0000046765

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 427,243	$ 487,884
Short-term investments	134,491	89,335
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,806 and $1,820, respectively	209,402	192,623
Inventories of materials and supplies, net	96,504	104,180
Prepaid expenses and other, net	97,857	89,305
Assets held-for-sale	13,076	0
Total current assets	978,573	963,327
Investments	34,569	31,585
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,374,235	3,646,341
Other Noncurrent Assets:
Goodwill	45,653	45,653
Intangible assets, net	77,430	81,027
Operating lease right-of-use asset	56,474	44,583
Other assets, net	21,170	17,105
Total other noncurrent assets	200,727	188,368
Total assets	4,588,104	4,829,621
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	63,934	36,468
Dividends payable	27,327	27,226
Accrued liabilities	160,342	155,442
Total current liabilities	251,603	219,136
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt, net	481,647	480,727
Deferred income taxes	604,536	650,675
Other	163,063	147,180
Noncurrent liabilities - discontinued operations	3,559	13,389
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,252,805	1,291,971
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 112,222,865 and 112,151,563 shares issued as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively, and 107,893,998 and 107,488,242 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively	11,222	11,215
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	516,870	521,628
Retained earnings	2,762,735	3,010,012
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,274)	(26,188)
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,328,867 shares and 4,663,321 shares as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively	(181,857)	(198,153)
Total shareholders’ equity	3,083,696	3,318,514
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 4,588,104	$ 4,829,621

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Current Assets
Allowance for accounts receivable	$ 1,806	$ 1,820
Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	112,222,865	112,151,563
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	107,893,998	107,488,242
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury Stock
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	4,328,867	4,663,321

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Operating revenues
Drilling services	$ 294,026	$ 630,290	$ 538,807	$ 1,241,688
Other	2,145	3,349	3,741	6,608
Total operating revenues	296,171	633,639	542,548	1,248,296
Operating costs and expenses
Drilling services operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	230,313	417,743	429,002	817,072
Other operating expenses	1,274	1,315	2,636	2,737
Depreciation and amortization	106,417	132,006	213,278	262,137
Research and development	5,334	6,214	10,917	13,092
Selling, general and administrative	39,349	41,978	78,652	91,786
Asset impairment charge	54,284	563,234	54,284	563,234
Restructuring charges	1,608	0	1,746	0
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	18,515	(10,310)	6,179	(14,589)
Total operating costs and expenses	457,094	1,152,180	796,694	1,735,469
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)	(518,541)	(254,146)	(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819	3,566	6,698	5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)	(6,095)	(11,898)	(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520	(12,413)	5,444	(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	0	0	14,963
Other	(577)	(398)	(2,057)	(797)
Total other income (expense)	1,003	(15,340)	(1,813)	(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(159,920)	(533,881)	(255,959)	(489,014)
Income tax benefit	(36,624)	(113,413)	(54,739)	(99,275)
Loss from continuing operations	(123,296)	(420,468)	(201,220)	(389,739)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,293	6,067	9,786	13,524
Income tax provision	0	6,139	0	13,720
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293	(72)	9,786	(196)
Net loss	$ (121,003)	$ (420,540)	$ (191,434)	$ (389,935)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)	$ (3.88)	$ (1.87)	$ (3.61)
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02	0	0.09	0
Net loss (in dollars per share)	(1.13)	(3.88)	(1.78)	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(1.15)	(3.88)	(1.87)	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02	0	0.09	0
Net loss (in dollars per share)	$ (1.13)	$ (3.88)	$ (1.78)	$ (3.61)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	107,861	108,557	107,738	108,556
Diluted (in shares)	107,861	108,557	107,738	108,556

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (121,003)	$ (420,540)	$ (191,434)	$ (389,935)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes of $(0.1) million and $(0.3) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, and $(0.2) million and $(0.3) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively	457	516	914	1,032
Other comprehensive income	457	516	914	1,032
Comprehensive loss	$ (120,546)	$ (420,024)	$ (190,520)	$ (388,903)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Income tax on minimum pension liability adjustments	$ (0.1)	$ (0.2)	$ (0.3)	$ (0.3)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			112,080					3,642
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 4,012,223		$ 11,208	$ 510,305	$ 3,714,307		$ (28,635)	$ (194,962)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	30,605				30,605
Other comprehensive income	516						516
Dividends declared	(78,652)				(78,652)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)								(110)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	4,045			(3,103)				$ 7,148
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)			71					(258)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(3,401)		$ 7	(18,126)				$ 14,718
Stock-based compensation	10,201			10,201
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			112,151					3,274
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	3,975,537		$ 11,215	499,277	3,666,260		(28,119)	$ (173,096)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			112,080					3,642
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2019	4,012,223		$ 11,208	510,305	3,714,307		(28,635)	$ (194,962)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(389,935)
Other comprehensive income	1,032
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			112,151					4,733
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	3,461,006		$ 11,215	509,928	3,168,966		(27,603)	$ (201,500)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			112,080					3,642
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2019	4,012,223		$ 11,208	510,305	3,714,307		(28,635)	$ (194,962)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			112,151					4,663
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 3,318,514	$ (1,251)	$ 11,215	521,628	3,010,012	$ (1,251)	(26,188)	$ (198,153)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			112,151					3,274
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 3,975,537		$ 11,215	499,277	3,666,260		(28,119)	$ (173,096)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(420,540)				(420,540)
Other comprehensive income	516						516
Dividends declared	(76,754)				(76,754)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0			(47)				$ 47
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)								(1)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0			(53)				$ 53
Stock-based compensation	10,751			10,751
Share repurchases (in shares)								1,460
Share repurchases	(28,504)							$ (28,504)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			112,151					4,733
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	3,461,006		$ 11,215	509,928	3,168,966		(27,603)	$ (201,500)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			112,151					4,663
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,318,514	(1,251)	$ 11,215	521,628	3,010,012	(1,251)	(26,188)	$ (198,153)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(70,431)				(70,431)
Other comprehensive income	457						457
Dividends declared	(27,324)				(27,324)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)			72					(295)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,117)		$ 7	(16,742)				$ 14,618
Stock-based compensation	7,451			7,451
Other	(381)			(381)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			112,223					4,368
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020	3,224,918		$ 11,222	511,956	2,911,006		(25,731)	$ (183,535)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			112,151					4,663
Beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,318,514	$ (1,251)	$ 11,215	521,628	3,010,012	$ (1,251)	(26,188)	$ (198,153)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(191,434)
Other comprehensive income	914
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			112,223					4,329
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	3,083,696		$ 11,222	516,870	2,762,735		(25,274)	$ (181,857)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			112,223					4,368
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	3,224,918		$ 11,222	511,956	2,911,006		(25,731)	$ (183,535)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(121,003)				(121,003)
Other comprehensive income	457						457
Dividends declared	(27,268)				(27,268)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)								(39)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0			(1,678)				$ 1,678
Stock-based compensation	6,826			6,826
Other	(234)			(234)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			112,223					4,329
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 3,083,696		$ 11,222	$ 516,870	$ 2,762,735		$ (25,274)	$ (181,857)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2021	Dec. 11, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.71	$ 0.71

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (191,434)	$ (389,935)
Adjustment for (income) loss from discontinued operations	(9,786)	196
Loss from continuing operations	(201,220)	(389,739)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	213,278	262,137
Asset impairment charge	54,284	563,234
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	920	900
Provision for credit loss	(227)	1,779
Provision for obsolete inventory	423	684
Stock-based compensation	14,277	20,952
(Gain) loss on investment securities	(5,444)	9,592
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	6,179	(14,589)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	(14,963)
Deferred income tax benefit	(46,068)	(106,878)
Other	3,646	(3,779)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(8,498)	(37,717)
Inventories of materials and supplies	7,159	(2,064)
Prepaid expenses and other	(7,951)	(15,962)
Other noncurrent assets	(3,696)	10,107
Accounts payable	25,277	21,764
Accrued liabilities	(451)	(68,146)
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,939	(4,642)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	58,827	232,670
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations	(25)	(28)
Net cash provided by operating activities	58,802	232,642
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(30,745)	(94,312)
Purchase of investments	(106,731)	(36,336)
Proceeds from sale of investments	63,742	43,894
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	0	15,056
Proceeds from asset sales	13,419	24,799
Other	0	(51)
Net cash used in investing activities	(60,315)	(46,950)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(54,230)	(155,890)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	0	4,100
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(2,119)	(3,455)
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition of business	(250)	(4,250)
Share repurchases	0	(28,504)
Other	0	(445)
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,599)	(188,444)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(58,112)	(2,752)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	536,747	382,971
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	478,635	380,219
Cash paid during the period:
Interest paid	11,473	11,440
Income tax paid (received), net	(31,965)	43,509
Payments for operating leases	8,970	9,626
Non-cash operating and investing activities:
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment	(1,296)	189
Changes in accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets related to the sale of equipment	9,290	0
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of ASU No. 2016-13	$ (1,251)	$ 0

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

NOTE 1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (“H&P,” which, together with its subsidiaries, is identified as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” except where stated or the context requires otherwise) through its operating subsidiaries provides performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies that are intended to make hydrocarbon recovery safer and more economical for oil and gas exploration and production companies.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we restructured our operations to accommodate scale during an industry downturn and reorganized our operations to align to new marketing and management strategies. This is consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources. Operations previously reported within the former U.S. Land and H&P Technologies operating and reportable segments are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment. As a result, beginning with the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, our drilling services operations were organized into the following reportable operating business segments: North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico and International Solutions. All segment disclosures have been recast for these segment changes. Our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects and our wholly-owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other." Refer to Note 15—Business Segments and Geographic Information for further details on our reportable segments.

Our North America Solutions operations are primarily located in Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. Additionally, Offshore Gulf of Mexico operations are conducted in Louisiana and in U.S. federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and our International Solutions operations have rigs primarily located in four international locations: Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia and United Arab Emirates. 

We also own and operate limited commercial real estate properties. Our real estate investments, which are located exclusively within Tulsa, Oklahoma, include a shopping center and undeveloped real estate.

Fiscal Year 2020 Dispositions

In December 2019, we closed on the sale of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. ("HPIDC"), TerraVici Drilling Solutions, Inc. ("TerraVici"). As a result of the sale, 100% of TerraVici's outstanding capital stock was transferred to the purchaser in exchange for approximately $15.1 million, resulting in a total gain on the sale of TerraVici of approximately $15.0 million. Prior to the sale, TerraVici was a component of the North America Solutions operating segment. This transaction did not represent a strategic shift in our operations and will not have a significant effect on our operations and financial results going forward.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Interim Financial Information

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Loss from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

COVID-19 and OPEC+ Production Impacts

The outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its development into a pandemic has resulted in significant global economic disruption, including North America and many of the other geographic areas where we operate, or where our customers are located, or suppliers or vendors operate. Actions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by governmental authorities around the world, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby resulting in lower demand for crude oil. In particular, the travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers. Governmental authorities have also implemented multi-step policies with the goal of reopening various sectors of the economy. However, certain jurisdictions began reopening only to return to restrictions in the face of increases in new COVID-19 cases, while other jurisdictions are continuing to reopen or have nearly completed the re-opening process despite increases in COVID-19 cases. Despite the increased availability of vaccines in certain jurisdictions, the COVID-19 outbreak may worsen during the upcoming months, including as a result of the emergence of more infectious strains of the virus or increased business and social activities, which may cause governmental authorities to reconsider restrictions on business and social activities. In the event governmental authorities increase restrictions, the reopening of the economy may be further curtailed. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, some disruptions to our business operations, as these restrictions have significantly impacted, and may continue to impact, many sectors of the economy. Depressed economic conditions exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions in one foreign jurisdiction where we operate have led to an increase in community strikes which resulted in a suspension of our operations. In addition, the perceived risk of infection and health risk associated with COVID-19, and the illness of many individuals across the globe, has and will continue to alter behaviors of consumers and policies of companies around the world; such altered behaviors and policies have many of the same effects intended by governmental authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as self-imposed or voluntary social distancing, quarantining, and remote work policies. We are complying with local governmental jurisdiction policies and procedures where our operations reside. In some cases, policies and procedures are more stringent in our foreign operations than in our North America operations

In early March 2020, the increase in crude oil supply resulting from production escalations from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing nations (“OPEC+”) combined with a decrease in crude oil demand stemming from the global response and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Consequently, we saw a significant decrease in customer 2020 capital budgets and a corresponding dramatic decline in the demand for land rigs. Although OPEC+ agreed in April 2020 to cut oil production and has extended production cuts through July 2021 with gradual reductions in cuts from May to July, there is no assurance that the agreement will continue or be observed by its parties. Although crude oil prices have modestly recovered since March 2020, oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of the near-term production instability and the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and as changes in oil and natural gas inventories, industry demand and global and national economic performance are reported.

These events have had, and could continue to have, an adverse impact on numerous aspects of our business, financial condition and results of operations. The ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 and prolonged excess oil supply on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend largely on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 outbreak within the United States and the parts of the world in which we operate and the related impact on the oil and gas industry, the impact of governmental actions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the development, availability and timely distribution of effective treatments and vaccines worldwide, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.

    From a financial perspective, we believe the Company is operationally and financially well positioned to continue operating even through a more protracted disruption caused by COVID-19, oil oversupply and low oil prices. At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $561.7 million. The 2018 Credit Facility (as defined within Note 6—Debt) has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. We currently do not anticipate the need to draw on the 2018 Credit Facility. Furthermore, the Company 2025 Notes (as defined within Note 6—Debt) do not mature until March 19, 2025.

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. See Note 17—Subsequent Events.

Leases

We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of one to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

As we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we downsized and relocated our Houston assembly facility to a new location. Refer to Note 16—Restructuring Charges for additional details. As a result, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we entered into a lease agreement for a new assembly facility located in Texas. This lease agreement commenced on January 1, 2021 and will expire on December 31, 2030; however, we have one renewal option for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, which was not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. This contract was accounted for as an operating lease resulting in an operating lease right-of-use asset and minimum lease liability of approximately $15.5 million as of March 31, 2021.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits.

We had restricted cash of $51.4 million and $44.1 million at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $48.9 million and $35.0 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of the total at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, $3.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, is from the initial capitalization of the captive insurance companies, and $45.1 million and $43.1 million, respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in short-term money market securities.

The cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	March 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	427,243	$	336,089	$	487,884	$	347,943
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other, net	48,457		40,744		45,577		31,291
Other assets, net	2,935		3,386		3,286		3,737
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	478,635	$	380,219	$	536,747	$	382,971

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company.

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent	This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.	October 1, 2020	We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, as required. Refer to "—Allowance for Credit Losses" below for additional information.
Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2021
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Upon adoption, the amendments addressed in this ASU will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Allowance for Credit Losses

On October 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating comparative periods, as permitted under the adoption provisions. Upon adoption, we recognized a $1.6 million increase to our allowance for credit losses and a corresponding cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings, net of income taxes, of $1.3 million. This transition adjustment reflects the development of our models to estimate expected credit losses over the life of our financial assets, which primarily consist of our accounts receivable. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13, we have evaluated our customers’ financial strength and liquidity based on aging of accounts receivable, payment history, and other relevant information, including ratings agency, credit ratings and alerts, and publicly available reports.

Self-Insurance

We have accrued a liability for estimated workers' compensation and other casualty claims incurred based upon cash reserves plus an estimate of loss development and incurred but not reported claims. The estimate is based upon historical trends. Insurance recoveries related to such liability are recorded when considered probable.

We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from $1 million to $10 million per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general, and automobile liability claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters' estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our domestic casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.

On October 1, 2019, we elected to utilize a wholly-owned insurance captive (“Captive”) to insure the deductibles for our workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance programs. Casualty claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019 will remain recorded within each of the operating segments and future adjustments to these claims will continue to be reflected within the operating segments. Reserves for legacy claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019, will remain as liabilities in our operating segments until they have been resolved. Changes in those reserves will be reflected in segment earnings as they occur. We will continue to utilize the Captive to finance the risk of loss to equipment and rig property assets. The Company and the Captive maintain excess property and casualty reinsurance programs with third-party insurers in an effort to limit the financial impact of significant events covered under these programs. Our operating subsidiaries are paying premiums to the Captive, typically on a monthly basis, for the estimated losses based on an external actuarial analysis. These premiums are currently held in a restricted account, resulting in a transfer of risk from our operating subsidiaries to the Captive. Direct operating costs consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for estimated losses of $2.3 million and $6.0 million allocated to the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $2.8 million and $14.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and were recorded within drilling services operating expenses in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Intercompany premium revenues recorded by the Captive during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2020 amounted to $8.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, and $15.8 million and $18.2 million during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. These intercompany insurance premiums are reflected as segment operating expenses within the North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico, and International Solutions reportable operating segments and are reflected as intersegment sales within "Other." The Company self-insures employee health plan exposures in excess of employee deductibles. Starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Captive insurer issued a stop-loss program that will reimburse the Company's health plan for claims that exceed $50,000. This program will also be reviewed at the end of each policy year by an outside actuary. One hundred percent of the stop-loss premium is being set aside by the Captive as reserves. The stop-loss program does not have a material impact on a consolidated basis.

International Solutions Drilling Risks

International Solutions drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our International Solutions operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of the countries in which we operate have implemented measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby, resulting in lower demand for crude oil. For example, our rigs in the United Arab Emirates remain stacked due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced downturn and continuing oil demand uncertainties. The travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have, at times, also resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers.

We have also experienced certain risks related to our Argentine operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, we are paid in Argentine pesos. The Argentine branch of one of our second-tier subsidiaries remits U.S. dollars to its U.S. parent by converting the Argentine pesos into U.S. dollars through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market and repatriating the U.S. dollars. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars, including controls that were implemented in September 2019. In September 2020, Argentina implemented additional currency controls in an effort to preserve Argentina's U.S. dollar reserves. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. In the past, the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. In addition, in March 2020, the Argentine government introduced labor regulations that prohibit employee dismissals or suspensions without just cause, for lack of (or reduction in) work or due to force majeure, subject to certain exceptions that may result in the payment of compensation to suspended employees and/or increased severance costs to the company. These prohibitions have resulted in significant challenges for our Argentine operations and it remains uncertain for how long they will be in effect. Further, there are additional concerns regarding Argentina's debt burden, notwithstanding Argentina's restructuring deal with international bondholders in August 2020, as Argentina attempts to manage its substantial sovereign debt issues. These concerns could further negatively impact Argentina's economy and adversely affect our Argentine operations. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations.

For the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $2.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $3.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. In the future, we may incur larger currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars from Argentina or elsewhere, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As of March 31, 2021, our cash balance in Argentina was $22.2 million.

Because of the impact of local laws, our future operations in certain areas may be conducted through entities in which local citizens own interests and through entities (including joint ventures) in which we hold only a minority interest or pursuant to arrangements under which we conduct operations under contract to local entities. While we believe that neither operating through such entities nor pursuant to such arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our operations or revenues, there can be no assurance that we will in all cases be able to structure or restructure our operations to conform to local law (or the administration thereof) on terms acceptable to us.

Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 5.2 percent and 4.9 percent of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our drilling business compared to 8.2 percent and 8.0 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 51.4 percent and 37.6 percent of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America, compared to 66.4 percent and 76.2 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. The future occurrence of one or more international events arising from the types of risks described above could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

NOTE 3 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Noncurrent liabilities from discontinued operations is an uncertain tax liability related to the country of Venezuela. Expenses incurred for in-country obligations are reported as discontinued operations within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

The activity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily due to the remeasurement of uncertain tax liabilities as a result of the devaluation of the Venezuela Bolivar.  Early in 2018, the Venezuelan government announced that it changed the existing dual-rate foreign currency exchange system by eliminating its heavily subsidized foreign exchange rate, which was 10 Bolivars per United States dollar, and relaunched an exchange system known as DICOM. The Venezuela government also established a new currency called the “Sovereign Bolivar,” which was determined by the elimination of five zeros from the old currency. The DICOM floating rate was approximately 1,987,185 Bolivars per United States dollar at March 31, 2021, compared to 436,677 and 80,946 Bolivars per United States dollar at September 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively. The DICOM floating rate might not reflect the barter market exchange rates.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

NOTE 4 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Drilling services equipment	4 - 15 years	$	6,479,582	$	7,313,234
Tubulars	4 years	606,036		615,281
Real estate properties	10 - 45 years	43,398		43,389
Other	2 - 23 years	468,392		464,704
Construction in progress (1)		52,383		49,592
		7,649,791		8,486,200
Accumulated depreciation		(4,275,556)		(4,839,859)
Property, plant and equipment, net		$	3,374,235	$	3,646,341
Assets held-for-sale		$	13,076	$	—

(1)Included in construction in progress are costs for projects in progress to upgrade or refurbish certain rigs in our existing fleet.  Additionally, we include other capital maintenance purchase-orders that are open/in process.  As these various projects are completed, the costs are then classified to their appropriate useful life category.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $104.6 million and $130.2 million, including $0.5 million and $0.9 million in abandonments, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Depreciation expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $209.7 million and $258.5 million, including $0.4 million and $1.7 million in abandonments for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Assets Held-for-Sale

In March 2021, the Company's leadership executed the current strategy, which was initially introduced in 2019, focusing on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. As a result, the Company has undertaken a plan to sell 68 Domestic non-super-spec rigs, all within our North America Solutions segment, the majority of which were previously decommissioned, written down and/or held as capital spares. The book values of those assets were written down to their net realizable value of $13.1 million, and were reclassified as held-for-sale on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $54.3 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The significant assumptions utilized in the valuation were based on our intended method of disposal, historical sales of similar assets, and market quotes and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 inputs by ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures. Although we believe the assumptions used in our analysis are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the analysis and our resulting conclusion.

Impairments

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, several significant economic events took place that severely impacted the demand on drilling services, including the significant drop in crude oil prices caused by OPEC+'s price war coupled with a decrease in the demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain a competitive edge in a challenging market, the Company’s management introduced a new strategy focused on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. This resulted in grouping the super-spec rigs of our legacy Domestic FlexRig3 asset group with our FlexRig5 asset group, creating a new "Domestic super-spec FlexRig" asset group, while combining the legacy Domestic conventional asset group, FlexRig4 asset group and FlexRig3 non-super-spec rigs into one asset group (Domestic non-super- spec asset group). Given the low utilization, previously projected, for our Domestic non-super-spec asset group and all International asset groups, we considered these economic factors to be indicators that these asset groups may be impaired.

At March 31, 2020, we performed impairment testing on our Domestic non-super-spec and International conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 asset groups, which had an aggregate net book value of $605.8 million. We concluded that the net book value of each asset group was not recoverable through estimated undiscounted cash flows and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $441.4 million in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $441.4 million total impairment charge recorded, $292.4 million and $149.0 million was recorded in the North America Solutions and International Solutions segment, respectively. Impairment was measured as the amount by which the net book value of each asset group exceeds its fair value.

The Company also recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge related to in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory of $44.9 million and $38.6 million, respectively, which had aggregate book values of $68.4 million and $38.6 million, respectively, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $83.5 million total impairment charge recorded for in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory, $75.8 million and $7.7 million was recorded in the North America Solutions and International Solutions segment, respectively.

(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets

We had a (gain) loss on sale of assets of $18.5 million and $(10.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $6.2 million and $(14.6) million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we sold excess drilling equipment and spares, which resulted in a net loss of $23.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This loss was offset by various gains on asset sales related to customer reimbursement for the replacement value of drill pipe damaged or lost in drilling operations.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, we closed on the sale of an offshore platform rig within our Offshore Gulf of Mexico operating segment for total consideration of $12.0 million with an aggregate net book value of $2.8 million, resulting in a gain of $9.2 million.

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

NOTE 5 GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment at the reporting unit level, at a minimum on an annual basis, or when indications of potential impairment exist. All of our goodwill is within our North America Solutions reportable segment. 

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we had no additions or impairments to goodwill. As of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the goodwill balance was $45.7 million.

Intangible Assets

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the period in which these assets contribute to our cash flows and are evaluated for impairment in accordance with our policies for valuation of long-lived assets.  All of our intangible assets are within our North America Solutions reportable segment. Intangible assets consist of the following:

		March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Finite-lived intangible asset:
Developed technology	15 years	$	89,096	$	19,205	$	69,891	$	89,096	$	16,222	$	72,874
Intellectual property	13 years	1,500		159		1,341		1,500		103		1,397
Trade name	20 years	5,865		1,000		4,865		5,865		842		5,023
Customer relationships	5 years	4,000		2,667		1,333		4,000		2,267		1,733
		$	100,461	$	23,031	$	77,430	$	100,461	$	19,434	$	81,027

Amortization expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.8 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $3.6 million and $3.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization is estimated to be approximately $3.6 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2021, approximately $7.2 million for fiscal year 2022, approximately $6.5 million for fiscal year 2023, and approximately $6.4 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Impairments

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, due to the market conditions described in Note 4—Property, Plant and Equipment, we concluded that goodwill and intangible assets might be impaired and tested the H&P Technologies reporting unit, where the goodwill balance is allocated and the intangible assets are recorded, for recoverability. This resulted in a goodwill only non-cash impairment charge of $38.3 million recorded in asset impairment charge on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020.

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DEBT

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

DEBT

NOTE 6 DEBT

We had the following unsecured long-term debt outstanding with maturities shown in the following table:

	March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value		Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value
Unsecured senior notes:
Due March 19, 2025	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727
	487,148		(5,501)		481,647		487,148		(6,421)		480,727
Less long-term debt due within one year	—		—		—		—		—		—
Long-term debt	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727

Senior Notes

On December 20, 2018, we issued approximately $487.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.65 percent unsecured senior notes due 2025 (the "Company 2025 Notes"). Interest on the Company 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2019. The debt issuance costs are being amortized straight-line over the stated life of the obligation, which approximates the effective interest method.

Credit Facilities

On November 13, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement by and among the Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, which was amended on November 13, 2019, providing for an unsecured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “2018 Credit Facility”), that is set to mature on November 13, 2024. The 2018 Credit Facility has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. For a full description of the 2018 Credit Facility, see Note 8—Debt to the consolidated financial statements in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. See Note 17—Subsequent Events.

As of March 31, 2021, we had two separate outstanding letters of credit with banks, in the amounts of $24.8 million and $2.1 million.

As of March 31, 2021, we also had a $20.0 million unsecured standalone line of credit facility, for the purpose of obtaining the issuance of international letters of credit, bank guarantees, and performance bonds. Of the $20.0 million, $1.8 million of financial guarantees were outstanding as of March 31, 2021.

The applicable agreements for all unsecured debt contain additional terms, conditions and restrictions that we believe are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality.  At March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all debt covenants.

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INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

NOTE 7 INCOME TAXES

We use an estimated annual effective tax rate for purposes of determining the income tax provision during interim reporting periods. In calculating our estimated annual effective tax rate, we consider forecasted annual pre-tax income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

Our income tax benefit from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $36.6 million and $113.4 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 22.9 percent and 21.2 percent, respectively. Our income tax benefit from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $54.7 million and $99.3 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 21.4 percent and 20.3 percent, respectively. Effective tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0 percent for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 primarily due to state and foreign income taxes, permanent non-deductible items and discrete adjustments. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 includes a federal tax benefit arising from the ability to carryback the projected fiscal year 2021 federal net operating loss to a year when the statutory rate was 35.0 percent. The discrete adjustments for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are primarily due to tax expense related to equity compensation of $4.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

For the next 12 months, we cannot predict with certainty whether we will achieve ultimate resolution of any uncertain tax positions associated with our U.S. and international operations that could result in increases or decreases of our unrecognized tax benefits. However, we do not expect the increases or decreases to have a material effect on our results of continuing operations or financial position.

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

NOTE 8 SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company has an evergreen authorization from the Board of Directors for the repurchase of up to four million common shares in any calendar year. The repurchases may be made using our cash and cash equivalents or other available sources. We had no purchases of common shares during the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

A cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared on December 11, 2020 for shareholders of record on February 12, 2021 and was paid on March 1, 2021. An additional cash dividend of $0.25 per share was declared on March 3, 2021 for shareholders of record on May 17, 2021, payable on June 1, 2021. As a result, we recorded a dividend payable of $27.3 million within dividends payable on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)
	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)

The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to the defined benefit pension plan for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021		Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	(25,731)	$	(26,188)
Activity during the period
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	457		914
Net current-period other comprehensive income	457		914
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	(25,274)	$	(25,274)

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REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

NOTE 9 REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Drilling Services Revenue

The releases for rigs under term contracts result in early termination compensation owed to us, while releases for rigs under well-to-well contracts given outside the notification window provided for in the contract result in notification fees owed to us. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, early termination revenue associated with term contracts was approximately $1.9 million and $8.2 million, respectively, and $7.7 million and $8.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized no notification fee revenue and during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized $2.2 million and $2.1 million, in notification revenue, respectively.

With most drilling contracts, we also receive payments contractually designated for the mobilization and demobilization of drilling rigs and other equipment to and from the client’s drill site. Revenues associated with the mobilization and demobilization of our drilling rigs to and from the client’s drill site do not relate to a distinct good or service. These revenues are deferred and recognized ratably over the related contract term that drilling services are provided. For any contracts that include a provision for pooled term days at contract inception, followed by the assignment of days to specific rigs throughout the contract term, we have elected, as a practical expedient, to recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice, as permitted by ASC 606.

Contract Costs

We had capitalized fulfillment costs of $5.1 million and $6.2 million as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

The total aggregate transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligations, commonly referred to as backlog, as of March 31, 2021 was approximately $435.3 million, of which approximately $217.5 million is expected to be recognized during the remainder of fiscal year 2021, approximately $154.0 million during fiscal year 2022, and approximately $63.8 million during fiscal year 2023 and thereafter. These amounts do not include anticipated contract renewals or expected performance bonuses. Additionally, contracts that currently contain month-to-month terms are represented in our backlog as one month of unsatisfied performance obligations. Our contracts are subject to cancellation or modification at the election of the customer; however, due to the level of capital deployed by our customers on underlying projects, we have not been materially adversely affected by contract cancellations or modifications in the past. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is inherently uncertain, and, as a result, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the duration and ultimate impacts of the pandemic, including the effect it may have on our contractual obligations with our customers.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following tables summarize the balances of our contract assets and liabilities at the dates indicated below:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Contract assets	$	5,228	$	2,367

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021
Contract liabilities balance at September 30, 2020	$	8,636
Payment received/accrued and deferred	12,858
Revenue recognized during the period	(13,653)
Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2021	$	7,841

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

NOTE 10 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in drilling services operating expense, research and development expense and selling, general and administrative expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Stock-based compensation expense
Drilling services operating	$	1,529	$	2,651	$	3,292	$	4,887
Research and development	271		181		607		347
Selling, general and administrative	5,026		7,918		10,378		15,718
	$	6,826	$	10,750	$	14,277	$	20,952

Restricted Stock

A summary of the status of our restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested restricted stock outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Shares (1)	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2020	1,280	$	49.81
Granted	698	25.60
Vested (2)	(528)	51.73
Forfeited	(17)	36.18
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2021	1,433	$	37.45

(1)    Restricted stock shares include restricted phantom stock units under our Director Deferred Compensation Plan. These phantom stock units confer the economic benefits of owning company stock without the actual ownership, transfer or issuance of any shares. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, 18,906 restricted phantom stock units were granted and 20,616 restricted phantom stock units vested during the same period.

(2)    The number of restricted stock awards vested includes shares that we withheld on behalf of our employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.

Performance Units

A summary of the status of our performance-vested restricted share units (performance units) as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested performance units outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Performance Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Performance Unit
Non-vested performance units outstanding at September 30, 2020	337	$	51.09
Granted	313	29.77
Dividend equivalent right performance units credited	48	51.79
Forfeited	(11)	43.40
Non-vested performance units outstanding at March 31, 2021 (1)	687	$	41.55

(1)    Of the total non-vested performance units at the end of the period, specified performance criteria has been achieved with respect to 86,904 performance units which is calculated based on the payout percentage for the completed performance period. The vesting and number of the remainder of non-vested performance units reflected at the end of the period is contingent upon our achievement of specified target performance criteria. If we meet the specified maximum performance criteria, approximately 644,188 additional performance units could vest or become eligible to vest.

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EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE

NOTE 11 EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE

ASC 260, Earnings per Share, requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share.  We have granted and expect to continue to grant to employees restricted stock grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities under ASC 260.  As such, we are required to include these grants in the calculation of our basic earnings per share and calculate basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Basic earnings per share is computed utilizing the two-class method and is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.

Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods utilizing the two-class method for stock options, non-vested restricted stock and performance units.

Under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income, but not losses, are allocated to unvested restricted stock grants that receive dividends, which are considered participating securities.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(123,296)	$	(420,468)	$	(201,220)	$	(389,739)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
Net loss	(121,003)		(420,540)		(191,434)		(389,935)
Adjustment for basic earnings (loss) per share
Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders	(354)		(1,003)		(714)		(1,994)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	(121,357)		(421,543)		(192,148)		(391,929)
Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders	—		—		—		—
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	$	(121,357)	$	(421,543)	$	(192,148)	$	(391,929)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance units	—		—		—		—
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)

We had a net loss for all periods presented above . Accordingly, our diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation was equivalent to our basic earnings per share calculation since diluted earnings per share excluded any assumed exercise of equity awards. These were excluded because they were deemed to be anti-dilutive, meaning their inclusion would have reduced the reported net loss per share in the applicable period.    

The following potentially dilutive average shares attributable to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Potentially dilutive shares excluded as anti-dilutive	3,920		4,579		4,146		3,579
Weighted-average price per share	$	57.15	$	58.03	$	56.79	$	60.55

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

NOTE 12 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We have certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We use the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10 to measure fair value to prioritize the inputs:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.

•Level 2 — Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  This includes pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The assets held in a Non-Qualified Supplemental Savings Plan are carried at fair value and totaled $19.9 million at March 31, 2021 and $19.8 million at September 30, 2020. The assets are comprised of mutual funds that are measured using Level 1 inputs.

Short-term investments include securities classified as trading securities. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income (expense) in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The securities are recorded at fair value.

Our non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at fair value when acquired in a business combination or when an impairment charge is recognized. If measured at fair value in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, these would generally be classified within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The majority of cash equivalents are invested in highly liquid money-market mutual funds invested primarily in direct or indirect obligations of the U.S. Government and in federally insured deposit accounts. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments.

The carrying value of other current assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities approximated fair value at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020.

The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value presented in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Recurring fair value measurements:
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	129,467		—		129,467		—
U.S. government and federal agency securities	5,024		5,024		—		—
Total short-term investments	134,491		5,024		129,467		—
Cash and cash equivalents	427,243		427,243		—		—
Investments	14,623		12,711		412		1,500
Other current assets	48,457		48,457		—		—
Other assets	2,935		2,935		—		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	627,749	$	496,370	$	129,879	$	1,500
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	$	8,973	$	—	$	—	$	8,973

At March 31, 2021, our financial instruments measured at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs include cash equivalents, U.S. agency issued debt securities, equity securities with active markets and money market funds that are classified as restricted assets. The current portion of restricted amounts are included in prepaid expenses and other, and the noncurrent portion is included in other assets. For these items, quoted current market prices are readily available.

At March 31, 2021, assets measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs include corporate bonds measured using broker quotations that utilize observable market inputs.

Our financial instruments measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs primarily consist of potential earnout payments primarily associated with our business acquisitions in fiscal year 2019.

The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net liabilities at beginning of period	$	8,973	$	19,873	$	9,123	$	18,373
Additions	—		—		—		1,500
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings	—		(3,800)		100		(3,800)
Settlements (1)	—		(4,250)		(250)		(4,250)
Net liabilities at end of period	$	8,973	$	11,823	$	8,973	$	11,823

(1)Settlements represent earnout payments that have been paid or earned during the period.

The following table provides quantitative information (in thousands) about our Level 3 unobservable inputs related to our financial liabilities at March 31, 2021:

Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Unobservable Input		Range	Weighted Average (1)
$1,000	Monte Carlo simulation	Discount rate	1.4	%
		Revenue Volatility	44.4	%
		Risk free rate	2.3	%
$7,973	Probability analysis	Discount rate	0.5	%
		Payment amounts			$5,250 - $7,000	$	6,400
		Probabilities			40% - 60%	53		%

(1)The weighted average of the payment amounts and the probabilities (Level 3 unobservable inputs), associated with the contingent consideration valued using probability analysis, were weighted by the relative undiscounted fair value of payment amounts and of probability payment amounts, respectively.

The above significant unobservable inputs are subject to change based on changes in economic and market conditions. The use of significant unobservable inputs creates uncertainty in the measurement of fair value as of the reporting date. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using Monte Carlo simulation are (i) discount rate, (ii) revenue volatility and (iii) risk-free rate. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate and risk-free rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant changes in revenue volatility in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using probability analysis are (i) discount rate, (ii) payment amounts and (iii) probabilities. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant increases or decreases in the payment amounts or probabilities in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. It is not possible for us to predict the effect of future economic or market conditions on our estimated fair values. 

The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020:

(in millions)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$	481.6	$	480.7
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	535.4		534.5

The fair value for the $535.4 million fixed-rate debt is based on broker quotes.  The notes are classified within Level 2 as they are not actively traded in markets.

The estimated fair value of our investments, reflected on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Investments, is primarily based on Level 1 inputs. As a result of the change in the fair value of our investments, we recorded a gain of $2.5 million and $5.4 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021.

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

NOTE 13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following provides information at March 31, 2021 and 2020, related to the Company-sponsored domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”):

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Interest cost	$	753	$	1,097	$	1,506	$	2,194
Expected return on plan assets	(967)		(1,381)		(1,934)		(2,762)
Recognized net actuarial loss	590		669		1,180		1,338
Settlement	398		—		1,413		—
Net pension expense	$	774	$	385	$	2,165	$	770

We recognized net pension expense of $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $2.2 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in other expense within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

According to ASC 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits, if the lump sum distributions made during a plan year exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021. Accordingly, we recognized settlement expense of $0.4 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, in other expense within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Employer Contributions

We did not make any contributions to the Pension Plan during the six months ended March 31, 2021. For the remainder of fiscal year 2021, we do not expect minimum contributions required by law to be needed. However, we may make contributions during the remainder of fiscal year 2021, if needed, to fund unexpected distributions in lieu of liquidating pension assets.

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 14 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

Equipment, parts and supplies are ordered in advance to promote efficient construction and capital improvement progress. At March 31, 2021, we had purchase commitments for equipment, parts and supplies of approximately $16.6 million.

Guarantee Arrangements

We are contingently liable to sureties in respect of bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain commitments entered into by us in the normal course of business.  We have agreed to indemnify the sureties for any payments made by them in respect of such bonds.

Contingencies

During the ordinary course of our business, contingencies arise resulting from an existing condition, situation or set of circumstances involving an uncertainty as to the realization of a possible gain or loss contingency.  We account for gain contingencies in accordance with the provisions of ASC 450, Contingencies, and, therefore, we do not record gain contingencies or recognize income until realized.  The property and equipment of our Venezuelan subsidiary was seized by the Venezuelan government on June 30, 2010.  Our wholly-owned subsidiaries, HPIDC and Helmerich & Payne de Venezuela, C.A., filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on September 23, 2011 against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. and PDVSA Petroleo, S.A., seeking damages for the taking of their Venezuelan drilling business in violation of international law and for breach of contract.  While there exists the possibility of realizing a recovery, we are currently unable to determine the timing or amounts we may receive, if any, or the likelihood of recovery. 

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various other pending legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. We maintain insurance against certain business risks subject to certain deductibles.  Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our experiences to date and taking into account established reserves and insurance, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. When we determine a loss is probable of occurring and is reasonably estimable, we accrue an undiscounted liability for such contingencies based on our best estimate using information available at that time.  If the estimated loss is a range of potential outcomes and there is no better estimate within the range, we accrue the amount at the low end of the range.  We disclose contingencies where an adverse outcome may be material, or in the judgment of management, we conclude the matter should otherwise be disclosed.

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

NOTE 15 BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Description of the Business

We are a performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma with operations in all major U.S. onshore oil ang gas producing basins as well as South America and the Middle East. Our drilling operations consist mainly of contracting Company-owned drilling equipment primarily to large oil and gas exploration companies.  We believe we are the recognized industry leader in drilling as well as technological innovation.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, as part of our restructuring efforts and consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources, we implemented organizational changes. We are now focused on offering our customers an integrated solutions-based approach by combining proprietary rig technology, automation software, and digital expertise into our rig operations rather than a product-based offering, such as a rig or separate technology package. Operations previously reported within the former U.S. Land and H&P Technologies operating and reportable segments are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment. As a result, beginning with the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, our drilling services operations are organized into the following reportable operating business segments: North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico and International Solutions. All prior period segment disclosures have been recast for these segment changes. Consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions.

Each reportable operating segment is a strategic business unit that is managed separately, and consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions. Our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects, and our wholly-owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other." External revenues included in “Other” primarily consist of rental income.

Segment Performance

We evaluate segment performance based on income or loss from continuing operations (segment operating income (loss)) before income taxes which includes:

•Revenues from external and internal customers

•Direct operating costs

•Depreciation and amortization

•Allocated general and administrative costs

•Asset impairment charges

•Restructuring charges

but excludes (gain) loss on sale of assets and corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation, and corporate restructuring charges.

General and administrative costs are allocated to the segments based primarily on specific identification and, to the extent that such identification is not practical, on other methods which we believe to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided.

Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is shown in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	249,939	$	29,274	$	14,813	$	2,145	$	—	$	296,171
Intersegment	—		—		—		8,680		(8,680)		—
Total sales	249,939		29,274		14,813		10,825		(8,680)		296,171
Segment operating income (loss)	(109,834)		2,978		(3,458)		(1,072)		(3,433)		(114,819)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	545,961	$	33,079	$	51,250	$	3,349	$	—	$	633,639
Intersegment	—		—		—		10,649		(10,649)		—
Total sales	545,961		33,079		51,250		13,998		(10,649)		633,639
Segment operating income (loss)	(342,667)		(3,319)		(152,469)		376		—		(498,079)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	451,929	$	61,547	$	25,331	$	3,741	$	—	$	542,548
Intersegment	—		—		—		15,802		(15,802)		—
Total sales	451,929		61,547		25,331		19,543		(15,802)		542,548
Segment operating income (loss)	(182,762)		5,720		(11,815)		3,039		(5,559)		(191,377)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	1,070,642	$	73,334	$	97,712	$	6,608	$	—	$	1,248,296
Intersegment	—		—		—		18,545		(18,545)		—
Total sales	1,070,642		73,334		97,712		25,153		(18,545)		1,248,296
Segment operating income (loss)	(290,528)		3,009		(149,354)		(705)		—		(437,578)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

The following table reconciles segment operating loss per the tables above to loss from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Segment operating loss	$	(114,819)	$	(498,079)	$	(191,377)	$	(437,578)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	(18,515)		10,310		(6,179)		14,589
Corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation and corporate restructuring charges	(27,589)		(30,772)		(56,590)		(64,184)
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)		(518,541)		(254,146)		(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819		3,566		6,698		5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)		(6,095)		(11,898)		(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520		(12,413)		5,444		(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	—		—		—		14,963
Other	(577)		(398)		(2,057)		(797)
Total unallocated amounts	1,003		(15,340)		(1,813)		(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(159,920)	$	(533,881)	$	(255,959)	$	(489,014)

The following table presents total assets by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Total assets (1)
North America Solutions	$	3,610,225	$	3,812,718
Offshore Gulf of Mexico	90,530		93,501
International Solutions	167,023		181,181
Other	82,528		22,144
	3,950,306		4,109,544
Investments and corporate operations	637,798		720,077
Total assets from continuing operations	4,588,104		4,829,621
Discontinued operations	—		—
	$	4,588,104	$	4,829,621

(1)Assets by segment exclude investments in subsidiaries and intersegment activity.

The following table presents revenues from external customers by country based on the location of service provided:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating revenues
United States	$	280,757	$	581,520	$	516,201	$	1,148,335
Argentina	6,979		29,682		8,532		70,291
Bahrain	6,921		10,383		14,470		15,067
United Arab Emirates	—		6,280		990		6,453
Colombia	946		4,905		1,375		5,901
Other Foreign	568		869		980		2,249
Total	$	296,171	$	633,639	$	542,548	$	1,248,296

Refer to Note 9—Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information regarding the recognition of revenue upon adoption of ASC 606.

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

NOTE 16 RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we reorganized our IT operations and moved select IT functions to a managed service provider. Cost incurred, as of March 31, 2021, in connection with the restructuring are comprised of one-time severance benefits to employees who were involuntarily terminated. The termination date of some of the employees extend beyond March 31, 2021, and such employees are required to render service through their respective termination date in order to receive the one-time severance benefit.

Additionally, as we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred one-time moving related expenses due to the downsizing and relocation of our Houston assembly facility.

The following table summarizes the restructuring charges incurred during the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Corporate		Total
Employee termination benefits	$	17	$	165	$	182
Moving related expenses	1,564		—		1,564
Total restructuring charges	$	1,581	$	165	$	1,746

The following table summarizes the Company's accrual for restructuring charges for the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Accounts Payable		Accrued Liabilities
Accrued restructuring charges at September 30, 2020	$	551	$	—
Charges	1,539		207
Cash payments	(1,716)		(43)
Accrued restructuring charges at March 31, 2021	$	374	$	164

These expenses are recorded within restructuring charges on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and the related liability is recorded within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2021.

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	NOTE 17 SUBSEQUENT EVENTSOn April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025. No other terms of the 2018 Credit Facility were amended in connection with this extension. The remaining $70.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility will expire on November 13, 2024, unless extended by the applicable lender before such date.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Interim Financial Information

Interim Financial InformationThe accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Loss from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Leases

Leases

We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of one to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

As we continue to take measures to adjust our cost structure lower based on activity levels, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we downsized and relocated our Houston assembly facility to a new location. Refer to Note 16—Restructuring Charges for additional details. As a result, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we entered into a lease agreement for a new assembly facility located in Texas. This lease agreement commenced on January 1, 2021 and will expire on December 31, 2030; however, we have one renewal option for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, which was not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. This contract was accounted for as an operating lease resulting in an operating lease right-of-use asset and minimum lease liability of approximately $15.5 million as of March 31, 2021.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits.

We had restricted cash of $51.4 million and $44.1 million at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $48.9 million and $35.0 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Of the total at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, $3.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, is from the initial capitalization of the captive insurance companies, and $45.1 million and $43.1 million, respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in short-term money market securities.

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company.

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent	This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.	October 1, 2020	We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, as required. Refer to "—Allowance for Credit Losses" below for additional information.
Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2021
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Upon adoption, the amendments addressed in this ASU will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Allowance for Credit LossesOn October 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating comparative periods, as permitted under the adoption provisions. Upon adoption, we recognized a $1.6 million increase to our allowance for credit losses and a corresponding cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings, net of income taxes, of $1.3 million. This transition adjustment reflects the development of our models to estimate expected credit losses over the life of our financial assets, which primarily consist of our accounts receivable. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13, we have evaluated our customers’ financial strength and liquidity based on aging of accounts receivable, payment history, and other relevant information, including ratings agency, credit ratings and alerts, and publicly available reports.

Self-Insurance

Self-Insurance

We have accrued a liability for estimated workers' compensation and other casualty claims incurred based upon cash reserves plus an estimate of loss development and incurred but not reported claims. The estimate is based upon historical trends. Insurance recoveries related to such liability are recorded when considered probable.

We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from $1 million to $10 million per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general, and automobile liability claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters' estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our domestic casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.

International Solutions Drilling Risks

International Solutions Drilling Risks

International Solutions drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our International Solutions operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of the countries in which we operate have implemented measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby, resulting in lower demand for crude oil. For example, our rigs in the United Arab Emirates remain stacked due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced downturn and continuing oil demand uncertainties. The travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have, at times, also resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers.

We have also experienced certain risks related to our Argentine operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, we are paid in Argentine pesos. The Argentine branch of one of our second-tier subsidiaries remits U.S. dollars to its U.S. parent by converting the Argentine pesos into U.S. dollars through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market and repatriating the U.S. dollars. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars, including controls that were implemented in September 2019. In September 2020, Argentina implemented additional currency controls in an effort to preserve Argentina's U.S. dollar reserves. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. In the past, the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. In addition, in March 2020, the Argentine government introduced labor regulations that prohibit employee dismissals or suspensions without just cause, for lack of (or reduction in) work or due to force majeure, subject to certain exceptions that may result in the payment of compensation to suspended employees and/or increased severance costs to the company. These prohibitions have resulted in significant challenges for our Argentine operations and it remains uncertain for how long they will be in effect. Further, there are additional concerns regarding Argentina's debt burden, notwithstanding Argentina's restructuring deal with international bondholders in August 2020, as Argentina attempts to manage its substantial sovereign debt issues. These concerns could further negatively impact Argentina's economy and adversely affect our Argentine operations. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations.

For the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $2.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $3.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. In the future, we may incur larger currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars from Argentina or elsewhere, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As of March 31, 2021, our cash balance in Argentina was $22.2 million.

Because of the impact of local laws, our future operations in certain areas may be conducted through entities in which local citizens own interests and through entities (including joint ventures) in which we hold only a minority interest or pursuant to arrangements under which we conduct operations under contract to local entities. While we believe that neither operating through such entities nor pursuant to such arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our operations or revenues, there can be no assurance that we will in all cases be able to structure or restructure our operations to conform to local law (or the administration thereof) on terms acceptable to us.

Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 5.2 percent and 4.9 percent of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our drilling business compared to 8.2 percent and 8.0 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, approximately 51.4 percent and 37.6 percent of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America, compared to 66.4 percent and 76.2 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. The future occurrence of one or more international events arising from the types of risks described above could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fair Value Measurement of Financial Instruments

We have certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We use the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10 to measure fair value to prioritize the inputs:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.

•Level 2 — Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  This includes pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents

The cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	March 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	427,243	$	336,089	$	487,884	$	347,943
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other, net	48,457		40,744		45,577		31,291
Other assets, net	2,935		3,386		3,286		3,737
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	478,635	$	380,219	$	536,747	$	382,971

Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

The cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

	March 31,				September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	427,243	$	336,089	$	487,884	$	347,943
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other, net	48,457		40,744		45,577		31,291
Other assets, net	2,935		3,386		3,286		3,737
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	478,635	$	380,219	$	536,747	$	382,971

Schedule of Description of Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Analysis of the Effects on the Financial Statements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements:

Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent	This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.	October 1, 2020	We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, as required. Refer to "—Allowance for Credit Losses" below for additional information.
Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2021
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Upon adoption, the amendments addressed in this ASU will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)	Estimated Useful Lives	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Drilling services equipment	4 - 15 years	$	6,479,582	$	7,313,234
Tubulars	4 years	606,036		615,281
Real estate properties	10 - 45 years	43,398		43,389
Other	2 - 23 years	468,392		464,704
Construction in progress (1)		52,383		49,592
		7,649,791		8,486,200
Accumulated depreciation		(4,275,556)		(4,839,859)
Property, plant and equipment, net		$	3,374,235	$	3,646,341
Assets held-for-sale		$	13,076	$	—

(1)Included in construction in progress are costs for projects in progress to upgrade or refurbish certain rigs in our existing fleet.  Additionally, we include other capital maintenance purchase-orders that are open/in process.  As these various projects are completed, the costs are then classified to their appropriate useful life category.

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Intangible Assets Arising from Business Acquisitions

Intangible assets consist of the following:

		March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
Finite-lived intangible asset:
Developed technology	15 years	$	89,096	$	19,205	$	69,891	$	89,096	$	16,222	$	72,874
Intellectual property	13 years	1,500		159		1,341		1,500		103		1,397
Trade name	20 years	5,865		1,000		4,865		5,865		842		5,023
Customer relationships	5 years	4,000		2,667		1,333		4,000		2,267		1,733
		$	100,461	$	23,031	$	77,430	$	100,461	$	19,434	$	81,027

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DEBT (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Unsecured Long-Term Debt Outstanding

We had the following unsecured long-term debt outstanding with maturities shown in the following table:

	March 31, 2021						September 30, 2020
(in thousands)	Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value		Face Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost		Book Value
Unsecured senior notes:
Due March 19, 2025	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727
	487,148		(5,501)		481,647		487,148		(6,421)		480,727
Less long-term debt due within one year	—		—		—		—		—		—
Long-term debt	$	487,148	$	(5,501)	$	481,647	$	487,148	$	(6,421)	$	480,727

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Pre-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
	$	(32,743)	$	(33,923)
After-tax amounts:
Unrecognized net actuarial loss	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)
	$	(25,274)	$	(26,188)

Schedule of the Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax, by Component

The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to the defined benefit pension plan for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021		Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
Balance at beginning of period	$	(25,731)	$	(26,188)
Activity during the period
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	457		914
Net current-period other comprehensive income	457		914
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	(25,274)	$	(25,274)

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REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following tables summarize the balances of our contract assets and liabilities at the dates indicated below:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Contract assets	$	5,228	$	2,367

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021
Contract liabilities balance at September 30, 2020	$	8,636
Payment received/accrued and deferred	12,858
Revenue recognized during the period	(13,653)
Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2021	$	7,841

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Schedule of Compensation Cost for Stock-Based Payment Arrangements

A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in drilling services operating expense, research and development expense and selling, general and administrative expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Stock-based compensation expense
Drilling services operating	$	1,529	$	2,651	$	3,292	$	4,887
Research and development	271		181		607		347
Selling, general and administrative	5,026		7,918		10,378		15,718
	$	6,826	$	10,750	$	14,277	$	20,952

Schedule of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Units and Changes in Restricted Stock and Performance Share Units Outstanding

A summary of the status of our restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested restricted stock outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Shares (1)	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2020	1,280	$	49.81
Granted	698	25.60
Vested (2)	(528)	51.73
Forfeited	(17)	36.18
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2021	1,433	$	37.45

(1)    Restricted stock shares include restricted phantom stock units under our Director Deferred Compensation Plan. These phantom stock units confer the economic benefits of owning company stock without the actual ownership, transfer or issuance of any shares. During the six months ended March 31, 2021, 18,906 restricted phantom stock units were granted and 20,616 restricted phantom stock units vested during the same period.

(2)    The number of restricted stock awards vested includes shares that we withheld on behalf of our employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.

A summary of the status of our performance-vested restricted share units (performance units) as of March 31, 2021 and changes in non-vested performance units outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below:

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Performance Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Performance Unit
Non-vested performance units outstanding at September 30, 2020	337	$	51.09
Granted	313	29.77
Dividend equivalent right performance units credited	48	51.79
Forfeited	(11)	43.40
Non-vested performance units outstanding at March 31, 2021 (1)	687	$	41.55

(1)    Of the total non-vested performance units at the end of the period, specified performance criteria has been achieved with respect to 86,904 performance units which is calculated based on the payout percentage for the completed performance period. The vesting and number of the remainder of non-vested performance units reflected at the end of the period is contingent upon our achievement of specified target performance criteria. If we meet the specified maximum performance criteria, approximately 644,188 additional performance units could vest or become eligible to vest.

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EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(123,296)	$	(420,468)	$	(201,220)	$	(389,739)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
Net loss	(121,003)		(420,540)		(191,434)		(389,935)
Adjustment for basic earnings (loss) per share
Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders	(354)		(1,003)		(714)		(1,994)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	(121,357)		(421,543)		(192,148)		(391,929)
Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders	—		—		—		—
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)		(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786		(196)
	$	(121,357)	$	(421,543)	$	(192,148)	$	(391,929)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance units	—		—		—		—
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted-average shares	107,861		108,557		107,738		108,556
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(1.15)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.87)	$	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		—		0.09		—
Net loss	$	(1.13)	$	(3.88)	$	(1.78)	$	(3.61)

Schedule of Shares Attributable to Outstanding Equity Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following potentially dilutive average shares attributable to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Potentially dilutive shares excluded as anti-dilutive	3,920		4,579		4,146		3,579
Weighted-average price per share	$	57.15	$	58.03	$	56.79	$	60.55

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value presented in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Recurring fair value measurements:
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	129,467		—		129,467		—
U.S. government and federal agency securities	5,024		5,024		—		—
Total short-term investments	134,491		5,024		129,467		—
Cash and cash equivalents	427,243		427,243		—		—
Investments	14,623		12,711		412		1,500
Other current assets	48,457		48,457		—		—
Other assets	2,935		2,935		—		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	627,749	$	496,370	$	129,879	$	1,500
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	$	8,973	$	—	$	—	$	8,973

Schedule of Reconciliation of Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3

The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net liabilities at beginning of period	$	8,973	$	19,873	$	9,123	$	18,373
Additions	—		—		—		1,500
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings	—		(3,800)		100		(3,800)
Settlements (1)	—		(4,250)		(250)		(4,250)
Net liabilities at end of period	$	8,973	$	11,823	$	8,973	$	11,823

(1)Settlements represent earnout payments that have been paid or earned during the period.

Schedule of Quantitative Information about Level 3 Unobservable Inputs

The following table provides quantitative information (in thousands) about our Level 3 unobservable inputs related to our financial liabilities at March 31, 2021:

Fair Value	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Unobservable Input		Range	Weighted Average (1)
$1,000	Monte Carlo simulation	Discount rate	1.4	%
		Revenue Volatility	44.4	%
		Risk free rate	2.3	%
$7,973	Probability analysis	Discount rate	0.5	%
		Payment amounts			$5,250 - $7,000	$	6,400
		Probabilities			40% - 60%	53		%

(1)The weighted average of the payment amounts and the probabilities (Level 3 unobservable inputs), associated with the contingent consideration valued using probability analysis, were weighted by the relative undiscounted fair value of payment amounts and of probability payment amounts, respectively.

Schedule of Supplemental Fair Value Information about Long-Term Fixed-Rate Debt

The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020:

(in millions)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$	481.6	$	480.7
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	535.4		534.5

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following provides information at March 31, 2021 and 2020, related to the Company-sponsored domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”):

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Interest cost	$	753	$	1,097	$	1,506	$	2,194
Expected return on plan assets	(967)		(1,381)		(1,934)		(2,762)
Recognized net actuarial loss	590		669		1,180		1,338
Settlement	398		—		1,413		—
Net pension expense	$	774	$	385	$	2,165	$	770

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Financial Information of Reportable Segments

Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is shown in the following tables:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	249,939	$	29,274	$	14,813	$	2,145	$	—	$	296,171
Intersegment	—		—		—		8,680		(8,680)		—
Total sales	249,939		29,274		14,813		10,825		(8,680)		296,171
Segment operating income (loss)	(109,834)		2,978		(3,458)		(1,072)		(3,433)		(114,819)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	545,961	$	33,079	$	51,250	$	3,349	$	—	$	633,639
Intersegment	—		—		—		10,649		(10,649)		—
Total sales	545,961		33,079		51,250		13,998		(10,649)		633,639
Segment operating income (loss)	(342,667)		(3,319)		(152,469)		376		—		(498,079)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	451,929	$	61,547	$	25,331	$	3,741	$	—	$	542,548
Intersegment	—		—		—		15,802		(15,802)		—
Total sales	451,929		61,547		25,331		19,543		(15,802)		542,548
Segment operating income (loss)	(182,762)		5,720		(11,815)		3,039		(5,559)		(191,377)

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)	North America Solutions (1)		Offshore Gulf of Mexico		International Solutions		Other		Eliminations		Total
External sales	$	1,070,642	$	73,334	$	97,712	$	6,608	$	—	$	1,248,296
Intersegment	—		—		—		18,545		(18,545)		—
Total sales	1,070,642		73,334		97,712		25,153		(18,545)		1,248,296
Segment operating income (loss)	(290,528)		3,009		(149,354)		(705)		—		(437,578)

(1)Operations previously reported within the H&P Technologies reportable segment are now managed and presented within the North America Solutions reportable segment.

Schedule of Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

The following table reconciles segment operating loss per the tables above to loss from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Segment operating loss	$	(114,819)	$	(498,079)	$	(191,377)	$	(437,578)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	(18,515)		10,310		(6,179)		14,589
Corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation and corporate restructuring charges	(27,589)		(30,772)		(56,590)		(64,184)
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)		(518,541)		(254,146)		(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819		3,566		6,698		5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)		(6,095)		(11,898)		(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520		(12,413)		5,444		(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	—		—		—		14,963
Other	(577)		(398)		(2,057)		(797)
Total unallocated amounts	1,003		(15,340)		(1,813)		(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(159,920)	$	(533,881)	$	(255,959)	$	(489,014)

Schedule of Total Assets by Reportable Segment

The following table presents total assets by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	March 31, 2021		September 30, 2020
Total assets (1)
North America Solutions	$	3,610,225	$	3,812,718
Offshore Gulf of Mexico	90,530		93,501
International Solutions	167,023		181,181
Other	82,528		22,144
	3,950,306		4,109,544
Investments and corporate operations	637,798		720,077
Total assets from continuing operations	4,588,104		4,829,621
Discontinued operations	—		—
	$	4,588,104	$	4,829,621

(1)Assets by segment exclude investments in subsidiaries and intersegment activity.

Schedule of Revenues from External Customers by Country

The following table presents revenues from external customers by country based on the location of service provided:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating revenues
United States	$	280,757	$	581,520	$	516,201	$	1,148,335
Argentina	6,979		29,682		8,532		70,291
Bahrain	6,921		10,383		14,470		15,067
United Arab Emirates	—		6,280		990		6,453
Colombia	946		4,905		1,375		5,901
Other Foreign	568		869		980		2,249
Total	$	296,171	$	633,639	$	542,548	$	1,248,296

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs

The following table summarizes the restructuring charges incurred during the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	North America Solutions		Corporate		Total
Employee termination benefits	$	17	$	165	$	182
Moving related expenses	1,564		—		1,564
Total restructuring charges	$	1,581	$	165	$	1,746

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost

The following table summarizes the Company's accrual for restructuring charges for the six months ended March 31, 2021:

(in thousands)	Accounts Payable		Accrued Liabilities
Accrued restructuring charges at September 30, 2020	$	551	$	—
Charges	1,539		207
Cash payments	(1,716)		(43)
Accrued restructuring charges at March 31, 2021	$	374	$	164

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) location	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of international locations | location				4
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary				$ 0	$ 15,056
Gain on sale of subsidiary		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 14,963
TerraVici | Disposed of by Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percent of outstanding capital stock transferred to the purchaser	100.00%
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	$ 15,100
Gain on sale of subsidiary	$ 15,000

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) renewalOption	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) renewalOption geographical_area	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 16, 2021 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Nov. 13, 2018 USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	$ 561,700,000		$ 561,700,000
Number of renewal options | renewalOption	1		1
Operating lease right-of-use asset	$ 56,474,000		$ 56,474,000				$ 44,583,000
Restricted cash	51,400,000	$ 44,100,000	51,400,000	$ 44,100,000			48,900,000	$ 35,000,000.0
Restricted cash from initial capitalization of captive insurance company	3,100,000		3,100,000				2,000,000.0
Additional cash restricted at the election of management for potential insurance claims	45,100,000		45,100,000				43,100,000
Retained earnings	2,762,735,000		2,762,735,000				3,010,012,000
Underwriting expenses	2,300,000	6,000,000.0	2,800,000	14,700,000
Stop-loss program, maximum amount of claim			$ 50,000
Cumulative inflation rate before a country is considered highly inflationary (as a percent)			100.00%
Aggregate foreign currency gain (loss)	(2,400,000)	$ (3,400,000)	$ (4,200,000)	$ (2,800,000)
Houston Assembly Facility
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use asset	15,500,000		15,500,000
Operating lease liability	$ 15,500,000		$ 15,500,000
Operating Revenue | Geographic Concentration Risk | International Locations
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	5.20%	8.20%	4.90%	8.00%
Argentina
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash	$ 22,200,000		$ 22,200,000
South America | Operating Revenue | Geographic Concentration Risk | International Locations | International Solutions
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	51.40%	66.40%	37.60%	76.20%
Intercompany Eliminations
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Premium revenues and expenses	$ 8,700,000	$ 10,500,000	$ 15,800,000	$ 18,200,000
Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease contract term	1 year		1 year
Insurance coverage deductibles range for claims which occur outside or inside the United States			$ 1,000,000
Number of geographical areas operating in (more than) | geographical_area			1
Minimum | Houston Assembly Facility
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease renewal term	5 years		5 years
Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease contract term	15 years		15 years
Insurance coverage deductibles range for claims which occur outside or inside the United States			$ 10,000,000
Maximum | Houston Assembly Facility
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease renewal term	10 years		10 years
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, allowance for credit loss						$ 1,600,000
Retained earnings						$ (1,300,000)
Acquisition of Drilling Technology Companies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000				$ 3,600,000
2018 Credit Facility
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity									$ 750,000,000.0
Borrowings outstanding	0		0
Available borrowing capacity	$ 750,000,000.0		$ 750,000,000.0
2018 Credit Facility | Letters of Credit
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity									$ 75,000,000.0
2018 Credit Facility, Due November 2025 | Subsequent Event
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 680,000,000.0
2018 Credit Facility, Due November 2024 | Subsequent Event
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 70,000,000.0

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 427,243	$ 487,884	$ 336,089	$ 347,943
Restricted cash	51,400	48,900	44,100	35,000
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	478,635	536,747	380,219	382,971
Prepaid expenses and other, net
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	48,457	45,577	40,744	31,291
Other assets, net
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 2,935	$ 3,286	$ 3,386	$ 3,737

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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details) - Bs. / $	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Foreign exchange rate (in bolivars per dollar)	10
DICOM floating rate (in bolivars per dollar)	1,987,185	436,677	80,946

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 7,649,791	$ 8,486,200
Accumulated depreciation	(4,275,556)	(4,839,859)
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,374,235	3,646,341
Assets held-for-sale	13,076	0
Drilling services equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 6,479,582	7,313,234
Drilling services equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Drilling services equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Tubulars
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 606,036	615,281
Real estate properties
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 43,398	43,389
Real estate properties | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Real estate properties | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	45 years
Other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 468,392	464,704
Other | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Other | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	23 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 52,383	$ 49,592

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) rig	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) rig	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 104,600		$ 130,200	$ 209,700	$ 258,500
Abandonments included in depreciation	500		900	400	1,700
Assets held-for-sale	13,076			13,076		$ 0
Asset impairment charge	54,284		563,234	54,284	563,234
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,374,235			3,374,235		$ 3,646,341
Tangible asset impairment charges					83,500
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(18,515)		10,310	$ (6,179)	14,589
Domestic and International Conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net			605,800		605,800
Tangible asset impairment charges			441,400		441,400
In-Process Drilling Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net			68,400		68,400
Tangible asset impairment charges					44,900
Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net			$ 38,600		38,600
Tangible asset impairment charges					38,600
Inventory Scrap and Obsolete, Capital Spares
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	$ (23,000)
North America Solutions | Domestic and International Conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges					292,400
North America Solutions | In-Process Drilling Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges					75,800
North America Solutions | Domestic Non Super Spec Asset Group
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of rigs, held-for -sale | rig	68			68
Assets held-for-sale	$ 13,100			$ 13,100
International Solutions | Domestic and International Conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges					149,000
International Solutions | Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges					$ 7,700
Offshore Gulf of Mexico
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net		$ 2,800
(Gain) loss on sale of assets				$ 9,200
Total consideration		$ 12,000

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill additions	$ 0		$ 0
Impairments of goodwill	0	$ 38,300	0	$ 38,300
Goodwill	45,653		45,653		$ 45,653
Amortization expense	1,800	$ 1,800	3,600	$ 3,700
Expected amortization in remainder 2021	3,600		3,600
Expected amortization in 2022	7,200		7,200
Expected amortization in 2023	6,500		6,500
Expected amortization in 2024	6,400		6,400
Expected amortization in 2025	$ 6,400		$ 6,400

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets Arising from Business Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 100,461	$ 100,461
Accumulated Amortization	23,031	19,434
Net	$ 77,430	81,027
Developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	15 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 89,096	89,096
Accumulated Amortization	19,205	16,222
Net	$ 69,891	72,874
Intellectual property
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	13 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,500	1,500
Accumulated Amortization	159	103
Net	$ 1,341	1,397
Trade name
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 5,865	5,865
Accumulated Amortization	1,000	842
Net	$ 4,865	5,023
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,000	4,000
Accumulated Amortization	2,667	2,267
Net	$ 1,333	$ 1,733

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DEBT - Components of Unsecured Long-Term Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Long-term debt, gross
Face Amount	$ 487,148	$ 487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(5,501)	(6,421)
Book Value	481,647	480,727
Less long-term debt due within one year
Face Amount	0	0
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	0	0
Book Value	0	0
Long-term debt
Face Amount	487,148	487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(5,501)	(6,421)
Book Value	481,647	480,727
HPIDC 2025 Notes
Long-term debt, gross
Face Amount	487,148	487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(5,501)	(6,421)
Book Value	481,647	480,727
Long-term debt
Face Amount	$ 487,148	$ 487,148

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DEBT - Narrative (Details)	Apr. 16, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) letter_of_credit	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 13, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount		$ 487,148,000	$ 487,148,000
Number of letters of credit outstanding | letter_of_credit		2
Company 2025 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount				$ 487,100,000
Interest rate				4.65%
2018 Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 750,000,000.0
Borrowings outstanding		$ 0
Available borrowing capacity		750,000,000.0
2018 Credit Facility | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 75,000,000.0
2018 Credit Facility, Due November 2025 | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 680,000,000.0
Letter of Credit - Instrument 1 | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		24,800,000
Letter of Credit - Instrument 3 | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		2,100,000
Unsecured Standalone Line of Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		20,000,000.0
Borrowings outstanding		$ 1,800,000

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INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax benefit	$ (36,624)	$ (113,413)	$ (54,739)	$ (99,275)
Effective tax rate	22.90%	21.20%	21.40%	20.30%
Federal statutory income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
Adjustment tax expense related to equity compensation			$ 4,100	$ 2,400

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2021	Mar. 01, 2021	Dec. 11, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Number of common shares authorized to be repurchased (up to) (in shares)				4,000,000				4,000,000
Purchases of common shares (in shares)								0	0
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25		$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.71	$ 0.71
Cash dividends paid (in dollars per share)		$ 0.25
Dividends payable				$ 27,327				$ 27,327		$ 27,226

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (25,274)	$ (26,188)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
Pre-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(32,743)	(33,923)
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(25,274)	(26,188)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Pre-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(32,743)	(33,923)
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (25,274)	$ (26,188)

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of the Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax, by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,224,918	$ 3,318,514	$ 3,975,537	$ 4,012,223	$ 3,318,514	$ 4,012,223
Other comprehensive income	457	457	516	516	914	1,032
Ending balance	3,083,696	3,224,918	$ 3,461,006	$ 3,975,537	3,083,696	$ 3,461,006
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(25,731)	(26,188)			(26,188)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	457				914
Other comprehensive income	457				914
Ending balance	$ (25,274)	$ (25,731)			$ (25,274)

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REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) month	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Early termination revenue	$ 1,900	$ 8,200	$ 7,700	$ 8,300
Drilling services	294,026	630,290	538,807	1,241,688
Capitalized cost	5,100		$ 5,100		$ 6,200
Number of months of unsatisfied performance obligations represent in our backlog relating to contract that currently contain month-to-month terms | month			1
Notification Fee
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Drilling services	$ 0	$ 2,200	$ 0	$ 2,100

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REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 435.3
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-04-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 217.5
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	6 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 154.0
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	12 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 63.8
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	12 months

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REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 5,228	$ 2,367
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Contract liabilities balance at beginning of period	8,636
Payment received/accrued and deferred	12,858
Revenue recognized during the period	(13,653)
Contract liabilities balance at period end	$ 7,841

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of Compensation Cost for Stock-Based Payment Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 6,826	$ 10,750	$ 14,277	$ 20,952
Drilling services operating
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,529	2,651	3,292	4,887
Research and development
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	271	181	607	347
Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 5,026	$ 7,918	$ 10,378	$ 15,718

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of the Status of Restricted Stock Awards and Changes in Restricted Stock Outstanding (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock Awards
Performance Units
Outstanding (in shares)	1,280,000
Granted (in shares)	698,000
Vested (in shares)	(528,000)
Forfeited (in shares)	(17,000)
Outstanding (in shares)	1,433,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 49.81
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	25.60
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	51.73
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	36.18
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 37.45
Phantom Share Units (PSUs)
Performance Units
Granted (in shares)	18,906
Vested (in shares)	(20,616)

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of the Status of Performance Share Units and Changes in Performance Share Units Outstanding (Details) - Performance Share Units	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 $ / shares shares
Performance Units
Outstanding (in shares)	337,000
Granted (in shares)	313,000
Dividend equivalent right performance units credited (in shares)	48,000
Forfeited (in shares)	(11,000)
Outstanding (in shares)	687,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 51.09
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	29.77
Dividend equivalent right performance units credited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	51.79
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	43.40
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 41.55
Vested (in shares)	86,904
Vested and expected to vest (in shares)	644,188

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EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (123,296)		$ (420,468)		$ (201,220)	$ (389,739)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786	(196)
Net loss	(121,003)	$ (70,431)	(420,540)	$ 30,605	(191,434)	(389,935)
Adjustment for basic earnings (loss) per share
Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders	(354)		(1,003)		(714)	(1,994)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)	(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786	(196)
Net income (loss) attributable to parent, basic	(121,357)		(421,543)		(192,148)	(391,929)
Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders	0		0		0	0
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(123,650)		(421,471)		(201,934)	(391,733)
From discontinued operations	2,293		(72)		9,786	(196)
Net income (loss) attributable to parent, diluted	$ (121,357)		$ (421,543)		$ (192,148)	$ (391,929)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share – weighted-average shares (in shares)	107,861		108,557		107,738	108,556
Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance units (in shares)	0		0		0	0
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share – adjusted weighted-average shares (in shares)	107,861		108,557		107,738	108,556
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)		$ (3.88)		$ (1.87)	$ (3.61)
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02		0		0.09	0
Net loss (in dollars per share)	(1.13)		(3.88)		(1.78)	(3.61)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(1.15)		(3.88)		(1.87)	(3.61)
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02		0		0.09	0
Net loss (in dollars per share)	$ (1.13)		$ (3.88)		$ (1.78)	$ (3.61)

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EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE - Shares Attributable to Outstanding Equity Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded as anti-dilutive (in shares)	3,920	4,579	4,146	3,579
Weighted-average price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 57.15	$ 58.03	$ 56.79	$ 60.55

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gain (loss) resulting from the change in the fair value of investments	$ 2.5	$ 5.4
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in a non-qualified supplemental savings plan	$ 19.9	$ 19.9	$ 19.8

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Recurring Fair Value Measurements $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Assets:
Short-term investments	$ 134,491
Cash and cash equivalents	427,243
Investments	14,623
Other current assets	48,457
Other assets	2,935
Total assets measured at fair value	627,749
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	8,973
Corporate debt securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	129,467
U.S. government and federal agency securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	5,024
Level 1
Assets:
Short-term investments	5,024
Cash and cash equivalents	427,243
Investments	12,711
Other current assets	48,457
Other assets	2,935
Total assets measured at fair value	496,370
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	0
Level 1 | Corporate debt securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Level 1 | U.S. government and federal agency securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	5,024
Level 2
Assets:
Short-term investments	129,467
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Investments	412
Other current assets	0
Other assets	0
Total assets measured at fair value	129,879
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	0
Level 2 | Corporate debt securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	129,467
Level 2 | U.S. government and federal agency securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Level 3
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Investments	1,500
Other current assets	0
Other assets	0
Total assets measured at fair value	1,500
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	8,973
Level 3 | Corporate debt securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Level 3 | U.S. government and federal agency securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	$ 0

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Reconciliation of Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3 (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities
Net liabilities at beginning of period	$ 8,973	$ 19,873	$ 9,123	$ 18,373
Additions	0	0	0	1,500
Total gains or losses included in earnings	0	(3,800)	100	(3,800)
Settlements	0	(4,250)	(250)	(4,250)
Net liabilities at end of period	$ 8,973	$ 11,823	$ 8,973	$ 11,823

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Level 3 $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Monte Carlo simulation
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 1,000
Monte Carlo simulation | Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.014
Monte Carlo simulation | Revenue Volatility
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.444
Monte Carlo simulation | Risk free rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.023
Probability analysis
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 7,973
Probability analysis | Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.005
Probability analysis | Payment amounts | Minimum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	$ 5,250
Probability analysis | Payment amounts | Maximum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	7,000
Probability analysis | Payment amounts | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	$ 6,400
Probability analysis | Probabilities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.40
Probability analysis | Probabilities | Maximum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.60
Probability analysis | Probabilities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.53

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Supplemental Fair Value Information about Long-Term Fixed-Rate Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$ 481,647	$ 480,727
Level 2
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	535,400	534,500
Carrying Value
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$ 481,600	$ 480,700

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Components of the net periodic pension expense (benefit)
Interest cost	$ 753	$ 1,097	$ 1,506	$ 2,194
Expected return on plan assets	(967)	(1,381)	(1,934)	(2,762)
Recognized net actuarial loss	590	669	1,180	1,338
Settlement	398	0	1,413	0
Net pension expense	$ 774	$ 385	$ 2,165	$ 770

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Settlement expense	$ 398,000	$ 0	$ 1,413,000	$ 0
Employer contribution			0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	$ 774,000	$ 385,000	$ 2,165,000	$ 770,000

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purchase commitments for equipment, parts and supplies	$ 16.6

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Summary of Financial Information of Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 296,171	$ 633,639	$ 542,548	$ 1,248,296
Segment operating income (loss)	(160,923)	(518,541)	(254,146)	(487,173)
North America Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	249,939	545,961	451,929	1,070,642
Offshore Gulf of Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,274	33,079	61,547	73,334
International Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,813	51,250	25,331	97,712
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,145	3,349	3,741	6,608
Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(8,680)	(10,649)	(15,802)	(18,545)
Segment operating income (loss)	(3,433)	0	(5,559)	0
Intersegment | North America Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Offshore Gulf of Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | International Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(8,680)	(10,649)	(15,802)	(18,545)
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	296,171	633,639	542,548	1,248,296
Segment operating income (loss)	(114,819)	(498,079)	(191,377)	(437,578)
Operating Segment | North America Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	249,939	545,961	451,929	1,070,642
Segment operating income (loss)	(109,834)	(342,667)	(182,762)	(290,528)
Operating Segment | Offshore Gulf of Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,274	33,079	61,547	73,334
Segment operating income (loss)	2,978	(3,319)	5,720	3,009
Operating Segment | International Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,813	51,250	25,331	97,712
Segment operating income (loss)	(3,458)	(152,469)	(11,815)	(149,354)
Operating Segment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,825	13,998	19,543	25,153
Segment operating income (loss)	$ (1,072)	$ 376	$ 3,039	$ (705)

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	$ (18,515)	$ 10,310	$ (6,179)	$ 14,589
Corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation and corporate restructuring charges	39,349	41,978	78,652	91,786
Operating loss from continuing operations	(160,923)	(518,541)	(254,146)	(487,173)
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	4,819	3,566	6,698	5,780
Interest expense	(5,759)	(6,095)	(11,898)	(12,195)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	2,520	(12,413)	5,444	(9,592)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	0	0	14,963
Other	(577)	(398)	(2,057)	(797)
Total other income (expense)	1,003	(15,340)	(1,813)	(1,841)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(159,920)	(533,881)	(255,959)	(489,014)
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating loss from continuing operations	(114,819)	(498,079)	(191,377)	(437,578)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	(18,515)	10,310	(6,179)	14,589
Corporate
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Corporate selling, general and administrative costs, corporate depreciation and corporate restructuring charges	$ (27,589)	$ (30,772)	$ (56,590)	$ (64,184)

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Total Assets by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,588,104	$ 4,829,621
Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,588,104	4,829,621
Discontinued operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	3,950,306	4,109,544
Investments and corporate operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	637,798	720,077
North America Solutions | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	3,610,225	3,812,718
Offshore Gulf of Mexico | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	90,530	93,501
International Solutions | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	167,023	181,181
Other | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 82,528	$ 22,144

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BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Revenues from External Customers by Country (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 296,171	$ 633,639	$ 542,548	$ 1,248,296
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	280,757	581,520	516,201	1,148,335
Argentina
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,979	29,682	8,532	70,291
Bahrain
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,921	10,383	14,470	15,067
United Arab Emirates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	6,280	990	6,453
Colombia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	946	4,905	1,375	5,901
Other Foreign
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 568	$ 869	$ 980	$ 2,249

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Summary of Restructuring and Other Similar Costs (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 1,746
Employee termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	182
Moving related expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	1,564
Corporate
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	165
Corporate | Employee termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	165
Corporate | Moving related expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0
North America Solutions | Operating Segment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	1,581
North America Solutions | Operating Segment | Employee termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	17
North America Solutions | Operating Segment | Moving related expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 1,564

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RESTRUCTURING CHARGES - Summary of Accrual for Restructuring and Other Similar Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges	$ 1,746
Accounts Payable
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrued restructuring charges at September 30, 2020		$ 551
Charges		1,539
Cash payments		(1,716)
Accrued restructuring charges at March 31, 2021	374	374
Accrued Liabilities
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Accrued restructuring charges at September 30, 2020		0
Charges		207
Cash payments		(43)
Accrued restructuring charges at March 31, 2021	$ 164	$ 164

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - Narrative (Details) - Subsequent Event $ in Millions	Apr. 16, 2021 USD ($)
2018 Credit Facility, Due November 2025
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 680.0
2018 Credit Facility, Due November 2024
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 70.0