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