EX-13 2 a2181313zex-13.htm EXHIBIT 13
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Exhibit 13

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.


Helmerich & Payne, Inc. is the holding Company for Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co., an international drilling contractor with land and offshore operations in the United States, South America, and Africa. Holdings also include commercial real estate properties in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, and an energy-weighted portfolio of securities valued at approximately $458 million as of September 30, 2007.

LOGO

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating Revenues   $ 1,629,658   $ 1,224,813   $ 800,726
Net Income     449,261     293,858     127,606
Diluted Earnings per Share     4.27     2.77     1.23
Dividends Paid per Share     .1800     .1725     .165
Capital Expenditures     894,214     528,905     86,805
Total Assets     2,885,369     2,134,712     1,663,350

To the Co-owners
of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.:

        We are pleased to report the Company's third consecutive year of record setting results, particularly when this accomplishment comes a year after the cycle peaked out in terms of drilling rig market pricing in the U.S. Our strategy has never been based on cyclical highs and rig scarcity, where demand has to outstrip the available supply of drilling rigs and where customers pay more for any available rig. We have long believed that a more enduring approach is to enable the customer to achieve a lower total well cost by delivering superior service using the safest, newest, and most innovative rigs in the industry.

        Throughout this past year, we achieved an unprecedented pace of adding four rigs per month to our fleet. Perhaps 2007's most significant accomplishment is found less in the financials and more in the on-time, on-cost execution of that aggressive program. It's a credit to our people to daily deliver on the entire value chain involved: design, manufacturing, commissioning, training, and field performance. While it is fitting in these pages to recognize their dedication and contribution to the Company's accomplishment, it is a customer's endorsement of the FlexRig that, in the end, signals a buy-in to the people who stand behind the outstanding performance.

        In the coming year, we will be managing to the same challenges and opportunities we have talked about for a long time:

    Deliver growth to shareholders by securing and executing on an aggressive order book.

    Win the customer's trust by consistently and safely providing differentiated field results.

    Take advantage of an ongoing retooling effort in an increasingly segmented industry still top-heavy with old, less capable rigs.

    Expand into additional drilling markets, with more focus on expanding our international effort.

        While this is not an exhaustive list, it should be familiar to our regular readers. Perhaps most notable is what the list excludes. Namely, that we are not managing the dilemma of carrying a large percentage of old, less capable rigs, while the customer increasingly votes in favor of high efficiency rig offerings.

        Too many old legacy assets, often no longer suitable for reinvestment, force our peers into a tradeoff between market share and price discipline. That sounds like the classic prisoner's dilemma with the logical best choice being price discipline. Since, after all, the market drives demand, contractors have to fight against being reduced in a soft environment and engaging in the downward spiral of rig-on-rig price destruction. This is happening now in the U.S. land drilling market.

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        Some industry observers have asked why drilling contractors are not exerting more pricing discipline in a market with historically high rig counts. One reason is that truly differentiated performance has driven a segmented marketplace. What we see from our end is existing FlexRigs that were working on the spot market in the last quarter of 2007 still commanding over $25,000 in rig revenue per day on average at 100 percent utilization, while competing rigs were aggressively cutting prices and in the end were still pushed to the sidelines.

        Take a look at this last year in terms of margins and activity by comparing the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to that of fiscal 2006:

    Our average rig margin per day in the U.S. land market has only declined by eight percent to $12,221. This daily margin is now 40 percent greater than that of our four largest peers.

    Moreover, our quarterly average number of active rigs increased by 38 percent year-over-year, while that of our four largest peers combined experienced a net reduction of 14 percent.

        We have passed the point where competitors can credibly position idle, old equipment as future operating leverage. Back to the prisoner's dilemma, the next logical exercise in discipline is to permanently remove from the market old industry rigs that are increasingly obsolete, ill-suited, and potentially unsafe in a drilling environment that is becoming more technically demanding.

        All of this reinforces our confidence in a retooling theme that continues to provide us attractive opportunities going forward. The new order for six FlexRigs that we announced this month provides further confirmation that even in a softer market, the customer is supporting the Company's value proposition.


 

Sincerely,
  SIG

Hans Helmerich
President

November 28, 2007

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Financial & Operating Review


Years Ended September 30,
  2007
  2006
  2005

SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME*
Operating Revenues   $ 1,629,658   $ 1,224,813   $ 800,726
Operating Costs, excluding depreciation     862,254     661,563     484,231
Depreciation**     146,042     101,583     96,274
General and Administrative Expense     47,401     51,873     41,015
Operating Income (loss)     632,319     417,286     192,756
Interest and Dividend Income     4,234     9,834     5,809
Gain on Sale of Investment Securities     65,458     19,866     26,969
Interest Expense     10,126     6,644     12,642
Income from Continuing Operations     449,261     293,858     127,606
Net Income     449,261     293,858     127,606
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:                  
  Income from Continuing Operations     4.27     2.77     1.23
  Net Income     4.27     2.77     1.23
                   
*$000's omitted, except per share data
†All data excludes discontinued operations except net income.
**2004 includes an asset impairment of $51,516 and depreciation of $94,425

SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA*
Cash**   $ 89,215   $ 33,853   $ 288,752
Working Capital**     272,352     164,143     410,316
Investments     223,360     218,309     178,452
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net**     2,152,616     1,483,134     981,965
Total Assets     2,885,369     2,134,712     1,663,350
Long-term Debt     445,000     175,000     200,000
Shareholders' Equity     1,815,516     1,381,892     1,079,238
Capital Expenditures     894,214     528,905     86,805
*$000's omitted
**Excludes discontinued operations.

RIG FLEET SUMMARY
Drilling Rigs –                  
  U. S. Land – FlexRigs     118     73     50
  U. S. Land – Highly Mobile     12     12     12
  U. S. Land – Conventional     27     28     29
  Offshore Platform     9     9     11
  International Land     27     27     26
   
 
 
    Total Rig Fleet     193     149     128
Rig Utilization Percentage –                  
  U. S. Land – FlexRigs     100     100     100
  U. S. Land – Highly Mobile     93     100     99
  U. S. Land – Conventional     87     95     82
  U. S. Land – All Rigs     97     99     94
  Offshore Platform     65     69     53
  International Land     90     90     77

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2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
  1998
  1997

 
  $ 589,056   $ 504,223   $ 523,418   $ 528,187   $ 383,898   $ 430,475   $ 476,750   $ 351,710
    417,716     346,259     362,133     331,063     249,318     288,969     321,798     227,921
    145,941     82,513     61,447     49,532     77,317     70,092     58,187     48,291
    37,661     41,003     36,563     28,180     23,306     24,629     21,299     15,636
    (6,885 )   38,137     64,667     123,613     34,826     49,024     78,077     61,740
    1,965     2,467     3,624     9,128     18,215     4,830     5,942     6,740
    25,418     5,529     24,820     1,189     13,295     2,547     38,421     4,697
    12,695     12,289     980     1,701     2,730     5,389     336     34
    4,359     17,873     53,706     80,467     36,470     32,115     80,790     48,801
    4,359     17,873     63,517     144,254     82,300     42,788     101,154     84,186
                                               
    .04     .18     .53     .79     .36     .32     .80     .48
    .04     .18     .63     1.42     .82     .43     1.00     .83




 
  $ 65,296   $ 38,189   $ 46,883   $ 128,826   $ 107,632   $ 21,758   $ 24,476   $ 27,963
    185,427     110,848     105,852     223,980     179,884     82,893     49,179     65,802
    161,532     158,770     150,175     203,271     307,425     240,891     200,400     323,510
    998,674     1,058,205     897,445     650,051     526,723     553,769     548,555     392,489
    1,406,844     1,417,770     1,227,313     1,300,121     1,200,854     1,073,465     1,053,200     987,432
    200,000     200,000     100,000     50,000     50,000     50,000     50,000    
    914,110     917,251     895,170     1,026,477     955,703     848,109     793,148     780,580
    90,212     242,912     312,064     184,668     65,820     78,357     217,597     114,626

  

 
                                               
            48             43             26             13             6             6             6             —
            11             11             11             11             10             11             7             7
            28             29             29             25             22             23             23             22
            11             12             12             10             10             10             10             9
              32               32               33               37               40               39               44               39
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

        130

 

 

        127

 

 

        111

 

 

        96

 

 

        88

 

 

        89

 

 

        90

 

 

        77
                                               
            99             97             96             100             99             79             100             —
            91             89             97             89             95             90             100             100
            67             58             70             99             77             61             92             99
            87             81             84             97             85             69             94             99
            48             51             83             98             94             95             99             63
            54             39             51             56             47             53             88             91

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Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

RISK FACTORS AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere herein. The Company's future operating results may be affected by various trends and factors, which are beyond the Company's control. These include, among other factors, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, unexpected expiration or termination of drilling contracts, currency exchange gains and losses, changes in general economic conditions, rapid or unexpected changes in technologies, risks of foreign operations, uninsured risks, and uncertain business conditions that affect the Company's businesses. Accordingly, past results and trends should not be used by investors to anticipate future results or trends.

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in Management's Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions. The Company cautions that, while it believes such assumptions to be reasonable and makes them in good faith, assumed facts almost always vary from actual results. The differences between assumed facts and actual results can be material. The Company is including this cautionary statement to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The factors identified in this cautionary statement and those factors discussed under Risk Factors beginning on page 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K are important factors (but not necessarily all important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking

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statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company undertakes no duty to update or revise its forward-looking statements based on changes of internal estimates or expectations or otherwise.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. is primarily a contract drilling company which owned and operated a total of 193 drilling rigs at September 30, 2007. The Company's contract drilling segments include the U.S. Land segment in which the Company owned 157 rigs, the Offshore segment in which the Company owned 9 offshore platform rigs, and the International Land segment in which the Company owned 27 rigs at fiscal year end. Although crude oil prices surged in 2007 and natural gas prices remained strong, the market has experienced an influx of both new and refurbished drilling rigs causing excess capacity. This excess has put pressures on the pricing in the market and is seen in the 2007 utilization percentages. However, with the Company's emphasis on FlexRig technology and service to the customer, the response from customers is positive and the demand for the Company's drilling rigs remains strong. In 2007, the Company reported strong financial performance including record revenue and net income.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All per share amounts included in the Results of Operations discussion are stated on a diluted basis. All prior period common stock and applicable share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 split of the Company's common stock effective June 26, 2006. The Company's net income for 2007 was $449.3 million ($4.27 per share), compared with $293.9 million ($2.77 per share) for 2006 and $127.6 million ($1.23 per share) for 2005. Included in the Company's net income were

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after-tax gains from the sale of investment securities of $40.2 million ($0.38 per share) in 2007, $12.3 million ($0.12 per share) in 2006, and $16.4 million ($0.16 per share) in 2005. Net income also includes after-tax gains from the sale of assets of $26.5 million ($0.25 per share) in 2007, $4.8 million ($0.04 per share) in 2006 and $8.7 million ($0.08 per share) in 2005. Included in net income in 2007 is an after-tax gain of $10.6 million ($0.10 per share) from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets that sustained significant damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Also included in net income is the Company's portion of income from its equity affiliate, Atwood Oceanics, Inc. From the equity affiliate, the Company recorded net income of $0.09 per share in 2007, $0.07 per share in 2006 and $0.02 per share in 2005.

Consolidated operating revenues were $1,629.7 million in 2007, $1,224.8 million in 2006, and $800.7 million in 2005. Over the three-year period, U.S. land revenues increased due to the addition of FlexRigs combined with significant increases in dayrates during 2006. The average number of U.S. land rigs available was 134 rigs in 2007, 96 rigs in 2006 and 90 rigs in 2005. U.S. land rig utilization for the Company was 97 percent in 2007, 99 percent in 2006 and 94 percent in 2005. Revenue in the Offshore segment decreased in 2007 after increasing in 2006 and 2005. The demand for offshore rigs increased in the Gulf of Mexico after the hurricanes in 2005. Rig utilization for offshore rigs decreased to 65 percent in 2007 compared to 69 percent in 2006 and 53 percent in 2005. International rig revenues increased from 2005 to 2007, due to increases in dayrates as rig utilizations remained steady at 90 percent in 2007 and 2006, up from 77 percent in 2005.

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Gains from the sale of investment securities were $65.5 million in 2007, $19.9 million in 2006, and $27.0 million in 2005. Interest and dividend income decreased to $4.2 million in 2007 from $9.8 million in 2006 and $5.8 million in 2005. The increase from 2005 to 2006 was due to increased cash positions from the sale of equity securities, the sale of two U.S. land rigs in 2005 and increased cash flow. In late 2005 and through part of 2007, the Company's cash position decreased as new FlexRigs were constructed.

Direct operating costs in 2007 were $862.3 million or 53 percent of operating revenues, compared with $661.6 million or 54 percent of operating revenues in 2006, and $484.2 million or 60 percent of operating revenues in 2005. The 2007 and 2006 expense to revenue percentage decrease from 2005 was primarily due to higher U.S. land revenue resulting from higher dayrates and increased activity.

Depreciation expense was $146.0 million in 2007, $101.6 million in 2006 and $96.3 million in 2005. Depreciation expense increased over the three-year period as the Company placed into service 5 new rigs in 2004, 20 new rigs in 2006 and 45 in 2007. The Company anticipates 2008 depreciation expense to increase from 2007 as the rigs currently under construction are placed into service. (See Liquidity and Capital Resources.)

Each year, management performs an analysis of the industry market conditions in each drilling segment. Based on this analysis, management determines if an impairment is required. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, no impairment was recorded.

General and administrative expenses totaled $47.4 million in 2007, $51.9 million in 2006, and $41.0 million in 2005. The increases in

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2007 and 2006 from 2005 were primarily due to recording stock-based compensation related to the adoption of SFAS 123(R) "Share-Based Payment" and the Company accelerating the vesting of share options held by a senior executive who retired. The affect of recording stock-based compensation is as follows:

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Other general and administrative expenses   $ 40,391   $ 42,121   $ 41,015
Stock-based compensation     7,010     6,941    
Acceleration of share options         2,811    
   
Total   $ 47,401   $ 51,873   $ 41,015
   

The decrease in other general and administrative expenses from 2006 to 2007 is partly attributable to pension expense decreasing $5.6 million from 2006. The Pension Plan was frozen and benefit accruals were discontinued effective September 30, 2006, thus reducing the service cost of the Plan. This decrease is partially offset by increases in employee labor, benefits and operating costs associated with the number of employees increasing in 2007. The increase from 2005 to 2006 was the result of increases in expenses associated with employee benefits due to increases in the number of employees.

Interest expense was $10.1 million in 2007, $6.6 million in 2006, and $12.6 million in 2005. The interest expense is primarily attributable to the fixed-rate intermediate debt outstanding in each year and advances on the senior credit facility in 2007. Capitalized interest was $9.4 million, $6.1 million and $0.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in capitalized interest in 2006 and 2007 is attributable to the rig build program.

The provision for income taxes totaled $251.0 million in 2007, $154.4 million in 2006, and $87.5 million in 2005. Effective income

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tax rates were 36 percent in 2007, 35 percent in 2006, and 41 percent in 2005. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. Recoverability of any tax assets are evaluated and necessary allowances are provided. The carrying value of the net deferred tax assets assumes, based on estimates and assumptions, that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to realize the benefits of such assets. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, additional valuation allowances will be recorded against the deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the future. (See Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional income tax disclosures.)

The following tables summarize operations by reportable operating segment. The Offshore and International Land segments for 2006 and 2005 have been restated to reflect a change made to the reportable operating segments in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007. This change, along with a detailed description of segment operating income, is described more fully in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

 
  2007

  2006

  % Change 

 
U.S. LAND OPERATIONS     (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $ 1,174,956   $829,062   41.7 %
Direct operating expenses     587,825   398,873   47.4  
General and administrative expense     14,024   12,807   9.5  
Depreciation     106,107   66,127   60.5  
   
     
Segment operating income   $ 467,000   $351,255   33.0  
   
     
                 
Operating Statistics:                
Revenue days     47,338   34,414   37.6 %
Average rig revenue per day   $ 23,573   $  22,751   3.6  
Average rig expense per day   $ 11,170   $  10,250   9.0  
Average rig margin per day   $ 12,403   $  12,501   (0.8 )
Number of owned rigs at end of period     157   113   38.9  
Rig utilization     97 % 99 % (2.0 )

Operating statistics for per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses.
Rig utilization excludes one FlexRig completed and ready for delivery at September 30, 2007 and three FlexRigs completed and ready for delivery at September 30, 2006.

The Company's U.S. Land segment operating income increased to $467.0 million in 2007 from $351.3 million in 2006. Improvement in revenue is primarily the result of increased revenue days as the increasing dayrates experienced during 2006 declined or flattened during 2007. Rig utilization decreased to 97 percent in 2007 from 99 percent in 2006. The decrease in rig utilization is primarily due to six conventional rigs being stacked by fiscal year-end. The stacked rigs target a deeper well market that softened during the last half of 2007. Average rig expense per day increased 9.0 percent as the demand for rig personnel and services continued to create cost pressures. The total number of rigs owned at September 30, 2007 was 157 compared to 113 rigs at September 30, 2006. The increase is due to 45 new FlexRigs completed and placed into service, one rig completed and ready for delivery, the sale of one conventional rig in June 2007 and the loss of one rig in a well blowout fire in

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August 2007. Depreciation in 2007 increased 60.5 percent from 2006 due to the increase in available rigs.

During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company announced plans to build 77 new FlexRigs for 19 exploration and production companies. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company announced that an agreement had been reached with an exploration and production company to operate an additional six new FlexRigs bringing the total of the new rigs to 83. Each new rig will be operated by the Company under a minimum three-year fixed term contract. The drilling services will be performed on a daywork contract basis. During 2007, the U.S. Land segment had 48 new FlexRigs placed into service, three of which were completed at the end of fiscal 2006, and one rig was completed and ready for delivery as of September 30, 2007. In 2006, 20 new FlexRigs were placed into service. The remaining rigs are expected to be delivered by the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2008. As a result of the new FlexRigs, the Company anticipates depreciation expense to increase in fiscal 2008.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's Rig 178 was lost when the well it was drilling had a blowout. The rig was insured at a value that approximated replacement cost and therefore the Company expects to record a gain resulting from the receipt of insurance proceeds. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, gross insurance proceeds of approximately $8.5 million were received and a gain of approximately $4.8 million was recorded. The Company anticipates settling the insurance claim before the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2008 and expects to receive additional insurance proceeds of less than $0.5 million.

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COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

 
  2007

  2006

  % Change 

 
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS   (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $123,148   $154,543   (20.3 )%
Direct operating expenses   85,556   105,133   (18.6 )
General and administrative expense   4,824   6,144   (21.5 )
Depreciation   10,687   11,401   (6.3 )
   
     
Segment operating income   $  22,081   $  31,865   (30.7 )
   
     
               
Operating Statistics:              
Revenue days   2,141   2,743   (21.9 )%
Average rig revenue per day   $  34,469   $  38,728   (11.0 )
Average rig expense per day   $  21,564   $  24,041   (10.3 )
Average rig margin per day   $  12,905   $  14,687   (12.1 )
Number of owned rigs at end of period   9   9    
Rig utilization   65 % 69 % (0.6 )

Operating statistics of per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses and exclude the effects of offshore platform management contracts and currency revaluation expense.

Segment operating income in the Company's Offshore segment decreased 30.7 percent from 2006 to 2007. Operator decisions to go on standby caused revenue and expenses to decline after the segment experienced increased activity in 2006 following the hurricanes in 2005.

Currently, the Company has five of its nine platform rigs working and two in negotiations for work that, if contracted, would start in 2008. One rig is currently in the yard undergoing capital improvement and is expected to return to work with a contract in the second fiscal quarter of 2009. The ninth rig is currently being transported and is expected to start operations in Trinidad during the second fiscal quarter of 2008.

During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006, the Company signed an option agreement to sell two offshore rigs that were idle. The purchase option was exercised and the transaction completed in the

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second fiscal quarter of 2007. The two rigs were classified as assets held for sale in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and, as such, excluded from the number of owned rigs at the end of fiscal 2006.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company's Rig 201 was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The rig was removed from service in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2005 until the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, when it returned to service. The rig was insured at a value that approximated replacement cost. At September 30, 2006, the Company had received insurance proceeds of approximately $3.0 million which approximated the net book value of equipment lost in the hurricane. Therefore, no gain was recognized in 2006. In fiscal 2007, insurance proceeds of approximately $16.3 million were received resulting in a gain of approximately $16.7 million. Capital costs to rebuild the rig were capitalized and are being depreciated in accordance with the accounting policy described in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. Additional claims have been submitted and future proceeds will be recorded as gain from involuntary conversion. The Company expects to settle this claim in 2008 and estimates additional proceeds to range from $5 million to $10 million.

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COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

 
  2007

  2006

  % Change 

 
INTERNATIONAL LAND OPERATIONS   (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $320,283   $230,829   38.8 %
Direct operating expenses   188,086   155,766   20.7  
General and administrative expense   3,236   3,274   (1.2 )
Depreciation   23,782   19,471   22.1  
   
     
Segment operating income   $105,179   $  52,318   101.0  
   
     
               
Operating Statistics:              
Revenue days   8,886   8,812   0.8 %
Average rig revenue per day   $  31,465   $  23,404   34.4  
Average rig expense per day   $  16,708   $  14,806   12.8  
Average rig margin per day   $  14,757   $    8,598   71.6  
Number of owned rigs at end of period   27   27    
Rig utilization   90 % 90 %  

Operating statistics of per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses and exclude the effects of currency revaluation expense.

Segment operating income for the Company's International Land segment increased 101.0 percent from 2006 to 2007 due to dayrate increases in several foreign markets with the most significant increase occurring in Venezuela. Segment operating income also benefited from a new FlexRig being added to the international fleet at the end of fiscal 2006. Rig utilization for international land operations averaged 90 percent in both 2007 and 2006. Direct operating expenses increased in 2007 primarily due to inflationary pressures in the oil service sector and contractual cost increases.

The Ecuadorian government continues to negotiate with the Company's customers to resolve contract disputes created by a recent government decree. The decree modified the original contracts for splitting profits on oil production. If this continues without resolution, the Company anticipates that up to seven rigs could become idle in Ecuador in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Should

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this situation occur, the Company, at this time, is unable to predict the length of time that the rigs would remain idle.

COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006

 
  2007

  2006

  % Change 

 
REAL ESTATE   (in thousands)  
Operating revenues   $11,271   $10,379   8.6 %
Direct operating expenses   3,808   3,524   8.1  
Depreciation   2,456   2,444   0.5  
   
     
Segment operating income   $  5,007   $  4,411   13.5  
   
     

Segment operating income in the Company's Real Estate segment increased 13.5 percent from 2006 to 2007. The segment experienced increases in revenues as average occupancy rates increased.

COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005

 
  2006

  2005

  % Change 

 
U.S. LAND OPERATIONS   (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $829,062   $527,637   57.1 %
Direct operating expenses   398,873   294,164   35.6  
General and administrative expense   12,807   8,594   49.0  
Depreciation   66,127   60,222   9.8  
   
     
Segment operating income   $351,255   $164,657   113.3  
   
     
               
Operating Statistics:              
Revenue days   34,414   30,968   11.1 %
Average rig revenue per day   $  22,751   $  15,941   42.7  
Average rig expense per day   $  10,250   $    8,403   22.0  
Average rig margin per day   $  12,501   $    7,538   65.8  
Number of owned rigs at end of period   113   91   24.2  
Rig utilization   99 % 94 % 5.3  

Operating statistics for per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses.
Rig utilization excludes three FlexRigs completed and ready for delivery at September 30, 2006.

The Company's U.S. Land segment operating income increased to $351.3 million in 2006 from $164.7 million in 2005. As crude oil and natural gas prices reached historically high levels, increases in

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U.S. land rig activity and higher dayrates experienced during 2005 continued in 2006 resulting in improvements in revenue and margin per day. Rig utilization increased to 99 percent in 2006 from 94 percent in 2005. Average rig expense per day increased 22 percent as the energy industry experienced increased demand for materials, supplies and labor. The total number of rigs owned at September 30, 2006 was 113 compared to 91 rigs at September 30, 2005. The increase is due to 20 new FlexRigs placed into service, three FlexRigs completed and ready for delivery and the sale of one conventional rig in March 2006. Depreciation in 2006 increased 9.8 percent from 2005 due to the increase in available rigs.

COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005

 
  2006

  2005

  % Change 

 
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS   (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $154,543   $106,296   45.4 %
Direct operating expenses   105,133   69,664   50.9  
General and administrative expense   6,144   3,980   54.4  
Depreciation   11,401   10,639   7.2  
   
     
Segment operating income   $  31,865   $  22,013   44.8  
   
     
               
Operating Statistics:              
Revenue days   2,743   2,122   29.3 %
Average rig revenue per day   $  38,728   $  29,228   32.5  
Average rig expense per day   $  24,041   $  15,967   50.6  
Average rig margin per day   $  14,687   $  13,261   10.8  
Number of owned rigs at end of period   9   11   (18.2 )
Rig utilization   69 % 53 % 30.2  

Operating statistics of per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses and exclude the effects of offshore platform management contracts and currency revaluation expense.

Segment operating income in the Company's Offshore segment increased 44.8 percent from 2005 to 2006. An increase in the demand for offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico after the hurricanes in 2005 contributed to increases in activity days and rig utilization.

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COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005

 
  2006

  2005

  % Change 

 
INTERNATIONAL LAND OPERATIONS   (in thousands, except operating statistics)  
Operating revenues   $230,829   $156,105   47.9 %
Direct operating expenses   155,766   118,959   30.9  
General and administrative expense   3,274   2,408   36.0  
Depreciation   19,471   20,070   (3.0 )
   
     
Segment operating income   $  52,318   $  14,668   256.7  
   
     
               
Operating Statistics:              
Revenue days   8,812   7,491   17.6 %
Average rig revenue per day   $  23,404   $  19,332   21.1  
Average rig expense per day   $  14,806   $  14,039   5.5  
Average rig margin per day   $    8,598   $    5,293   62.4  
Number of owned rigs at end of period   27   26   3.8  
Rig utilization   90 % 77 % 16.9  

Operating statistics of per day revenue, expense and margin do not include reimbursements of "out-of-pocket" expenses and exclude the effects of currency revaluation expense.

Segment operating income for the Company's International Land segment increased 256.7 percent from 2005 to 2006 due to higher rig activity and dayrates. Rig utilization for international land operations averaged 90 percent in 2006, compared with 77 percent in 2005. During 2006, one new FlexRig was added to the international land rig fleet.

COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005

 
  2006

  2005

  % Change 

 
REAL ESTATE   (in thousands)  
Operating revenues   $10,379   $10,688   (2.9 )%
Direct operating expenses   3,524   3,622   (2.7 )
Depreciation   2,444   2,352   3.9  
   
     
Segment operating income   $  4,411   $  4,714   (6.4 )
   
     

Segment operating income in the Company's Real Estate segment decreased 6.4 percent from 2005 to 2006. The segment experienced decreases in reimbursements associated with property taxes and

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increases in depreciation due to capital expenditures for leasehold and building improvements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's capital spending was $894.2 million in 2007, $528.9 million in 2006, and $86.8 million in 2005. Net cash provided from operating activities for those same periods was $561.1 million in 2007, $296.4 million in 2006 and $212.2 million in 2005. The Company's 2008 capital spending estimate is approximately $375 million, a decrease from the budgeted $750 million in 2007, due to completing construction of currently contracted new FlexRigs. Construction of the contracted new FlexRigs is expected to be completed by the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2008.

Historically, the Company has financed operations primarily through internally generated cash flows. In periods when internally generated cash flows are not sufficient to meet liquidity needs, the Company will either borrow from an available unsecured line of credit or, if market conditions are favorable, sell portfolio securities. Likewise, if the Company is generating excess cash flows, the Company may invest in additional portfolio securities or short-term investments.

The following table reconciles purchases of portfolio securities to purchases of investments shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements:

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Purchase of portfolio securities   $   $ 8,592   $3,000
Purchase of short-term investments         139,848   2,000
   
Purchase of investments   $   $ 148,440   $5,000
   

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The Company manages a portfolio of marketable securities that, at the close of 2007, had a market value of $457.5 million. The Company's investments in Atwood Oceanics, Inc. ("Atwood") and Schlumberger, Ltd. made up 93 percent of the portfolio's market value on September 30, 2007. The value of the portfolio is subject to fluctuation in the market and may vary considerably over time. Excluding the Company's equity-method investment in Atwood and investments in limited partnerships carried at cost, the portfolio is recorded at fair value on the Company's balance sheet. The Company currently owns 4,000,000 shares or approximately 12.6 percent of the outstanding shares of Atwood.

The Company generated cash proceeds from the sale of portfolio securities of $73.4 million in 2007, $28.2 million in 2006, and $46.7 million in 2005.

The following table reconciles cash proceeds from the sale of portfolio securities stated above to proceeds from sale of investments shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements:

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Proceeds from the sale of portfolio securities   $ 73,405   $ 28,245   $ 46,700
Sales with a trade date in current fiscal year but
    cash received in subsequent fiscal year
    6,093     (6,093 )   16,839
Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments     48,321     91,563     2,000
   
Proceeds from sale of investments per Consolidated
    Statements of Cash Flows
  $ 127,819   $ 113,715   $ 65,539
   

In 2007, proceeds were primarily from the sale of 1,012,500 shares of Schlumberger, Ltd. Proceeds were primarily used to fund capital expenditures.

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In 2006, proceeds were primarily from the sale of 230,000 shares of Schlumberger, Ltd. Proceeds were primarily used to repurchase shares of Company common stock and to fund capital expenditures.

In 2005, proceeds were primarily from the sale of 1,000,000 shares of Atwood. In July 2004, Atwood filed a Registration Statement covering all shares of Atwood stock owned by the Company. On October 19, 2004, Atwood completed a secondary public offering of shares in which the Company sold a portion of its Atwood shares and received $45.6 million. The proceeds were invested in cash equivalent securities and were subsequently used to meet the Company's capital expenditure needs.

The Company has historically been a long-term holder of investment securities. However, circumstances may arise such as significant capital spending requirements, the opportunity to repurchase Company common stock or the above referenced Atwood offering that result in security sales that were not previously contemplated. During 2006 and 2007, the Company purchased 2,007,100 shares of Company common stock at an aggregate cost of $46.0 million.

The Company's proceeds from asset sales totaled $51.6 million in 2007, $11.8 million in 2006 and $29.0 million in 2005. In 2007, one U.S. land rig and two offshore rigs were sold generating $36.7 million in proceeds. Income from asset sales in 2007 totaled $41.7 million. In 2006, one U.S. land rig was sold generating $4.8 million in proceeds. Income from asset sales in 2006 totaled $7.5 million. In 2005, the Company sold two large U.S. land rigs which generated a gain of approximately $9.0 million and proceeds of approximately $23.3 million. The rigs sold in each year were idle at the time of the sales and, with the Company's emphasis on

22



FlexRig technology, the Company took advantage of the opportunity to sell older rigs. In each year the Company also had sales of old or damaged rig equipment and drill pipe used in the ordinary course of business.

In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006, the Company received approximately $3.0 million in insurance proceeds from damages sustained to the Company's offshore Rig 201 during Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, the Company received additional insurance proceeds of approximately $16.3 million. In conjunction with removing the net book value of damaged equipment lost in the hurricane, the Company recorded a gain from involuntary conversion of approximately $16.7 million. The proceeds, shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under investing activities, were used to rebuild the rig. Those costs were capitalized and the rig returned to work in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007.

Since March 2005, the Company has announced contracts to build and operate 77 new FlexRig3s and FlexRig4s for 19 exploration and production companies. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company announced that an agreement had been reached with an exploration and production company to operate an additional six new FlexRigs, bringing the total of the new rigs to 83. Each agreement has a minimum fixed contract term of at least three years. The drilling services are performed on a daywork contract basis. Through fiscal 2007, 70 rigs were completed for delivery, and 69 of the 70 rigs began field operations by September 30, 2007. In 2006 the Company experienced delivery delays associated with labor and equipment shortages. Late-delivery contractual liquidated damage payments were incurred in 2006 and 2007 but they have had an immaterial impact on revenues and margins. Although the rig

23



delivery schedule was revised in August 2006, the Company was successful in deploying 48 of the 69 new FlexRigs to field operations in fiscal 2007. The rig construction project is currently ahead of the revised schedule. The remaining rigs are expected to be completed by the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2008. The total estimated construction cost of all 83 rigs is currently $1.3 billion. Approximately $0.7 billion was incurred in fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.4 billion was incurred in fiscal 2006 for construction of the new FlexRigs. Construction cost estimates were revised in August 2006 and the total costs incurred to date have remained within those estimates.

The Company has $175 million intermediate-term unsecured debt obligations with staged maturities from August, 2009 to August, 2014. The annual average interest rate through maturity will be 6.45 percent. The terms of the debt obligations require the Company to maintain a minimum ratio of debt to total capitalization.

On December 18, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with a multi-bank syndicate for a five-year, $400 million senior unsecured credit facility. The Company has the option to borrow at the prime rate for maturities of less than 30 days but anticipates the majority of all of the borrowings over the life of the new facility will accrue interest at a spread over LIBOR. The Company pays a commitment fee based on the unused balance of the facility. The spread over LIBOR as well as the commitment fee are determined according to a scale based on the ratio of the Company's total debt to total capitalization. The LIBOR spread ranges from .30 percent to .45 percent depending on the ratio. Based on the ratio at the close of the fiscal year, the LIBOR spread on borrowings was .35 percent and the commitment fee was .075 percent per annum. Financial

24



covenants in the facility require the Company to maintain a funded leverage ratio (as defined) of less than 50 percent and an interest coverage ratio (as defined) of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. The new facility contains additional terms, conditions, and restrictions that the Company believes are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality. At closing, the Company transferred two letters of credit totaling $20.9 million to the facility that remained outstanding at September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $270 million borrowed against the facility. The advances bear interest ranging from 5.48 percent to 6.15 percent.

At September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

In conjunction with the $400 million senior unsecured credit facility, the Company entered into an agreement with a single bank to amend and restate the previous unsecured line of credit from $50 million to $5 million. Pricing on the amended line of credit is prime minus 1.75 percent. The covenants and other terms and conditions are similar to the aforementioned senior credit facility except that there is no commitment fee. At September 30, 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings against this line. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had four outstanding, unsecured notes payable to a bank in Venezuela totaling $3.7 million denominated in a foreign currency. The interest rate of the notes was 13 percent with a 60 day maturity. The notes and interest were paid in full during fiscal 2007.

Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company obtained letters of credit totaling approximately $3.1 million to secure importation bonds in Trinidad and Tobago associated with moving a rig into that country.

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The Company's operating cash requirements and estimated capital expenditures, including rig construction, for fiscal 2008 will be funded through current cash, cash provided from operating activities, funds available under the credit facilities and possibly, sales of available-for-sale securities.

Current ratios for September 30, 2007 and 2006 were 2.2 and 1.6, respectively. The increase in current ratio is primarily due to increases in accounts receivable and other current assets and a decrease in the current portion of long-term debt. The debt to total capitalization ratio was 20 percent and 14 percent at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase is due to additional borrowing in 2007 to finance construction of the new FlexRigs.

During 2007, the Company paid a dividend of $0.18 per share, or a total of $18.6 million, representing the 35th consecutive year of dividend increases.

STOCK PORTFOLIO HELD BY THE COMPANY

September 30, 2007

  Number of Shares

  Cost Basis

  Market Value

    (in thousands, except share amounts)
Atwood Oceanics, Inc.   4,000,000   $74,210   $306,240
Schlumberger, Ltd.   1,137,500   9,035   119,438
Other       14,663   31,813
       
Total       $97,908   $457,491
       

MATERIAL COMMITMENTS

The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases discussed below. The Company's contractual

26


obligations as of September 30, 2007, are summarized in the table below:

 
  Payments due by year


Contractual Obligations
  Total
  2008
  2009
  2010
  2011
  2012
  After 2012

      (in thousands)
Long-term debt (a)   $ 445,000   $   $ 25,000   $   $ 270,000   $ 75,000   $ 75,000
Operating leases (b)     8,154     3,982     2,958     1,214            
Purchase
    obligations (b)
    82,722     82,722                    
   
Total Contractual
    Obligations
  $ 535,876   $ 86,704   $ 27,958   $ 1,214   $ 270,000   $ 75,000   $ 75,000
   

(a)  See Note 2 "Notes Payable and Long-term Debt" to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)  See Note 14 "Commitments and Contingencies" to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

The above table does not include obligations for the Company's pension plan. In 2007, the Company contributed $2.7 million to the plan. Based on current information available from plan actuaries, the Company does not anticipate contributions to the plan will be required in 2008. However, the Company does expect to make discretionary contributions to fund distributions of at least $3.0 million in 2008. Future contributions beyond 2008 are difficult to estimate due to multiple variables involved.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements are impacted by the accounting policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their preparation. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the estimates, including those related to long-lived assets and accrued insurance losses. The estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates

27


under different assumptions or conditions. The following is a discussion of the critical accounting policies which relate to property, plant and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, self-insurance accruals, pension, stock-based compensation, and revenue recognition. Other significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, including renewals and betterments, are stated at cost, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest costs applicable to the construction of qualifying assets are capitalized as a component of the cost of such assets. The Company provides for the depreciation of property, plant and equipment using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation is determined considering the estimated salvage value of the property, plant and equipment. Both the estimated useful lives and salvage values require the use of management estimates. Certain events, such as unforeseen changes in operations or technology or market conditions, could occur that would materially affect the Company's estimates and assumptions related to depreciation. Management believes that these estimates have been materially accurate in the past. For the years presented in this report, no significant changes were made to the Company's useful lives or salvage values. Upon retirement or other disposal of fixed assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gains or losses are recorded in net income.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company's management assesses the potential impairment of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in conditions indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Changes that trigger such an assessment may

28



include equipment obsolescence, changes in the market demand for a specific asset, periods of relatively low rig utilization, declining revenue per day, declining cash margin per day, completion of specific contracts, and/or overall changes in general market conditions. If a review of the long-lived assets indicates that the carrying value of certain of these assets is more than the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is made to adjust the carrying value to the estimated fair market value of the asset. The fair value of drilling rigs is determined based on quoted market prices, if available. Otherwise it is determined based upon estimated discounted future cash flows and rig utilization. Cash flows are estimated by management considering factors such as prospective market demand, recent changes in rig technology and its effect on each rig's marketability, any cash investment required to make a rig marketable, suitability of rig size and makeup to existing platforms, and competitive dynamics due to lower industry utilization. Use of different assumptions could result in an impairment charge different from that reported.

Self-Insurance Accruals The Company is self-insured or maintains high deductibles for certain losses relating to worker's compensation, general liability, employer's liability, and auto liabilities. Generally, deductibles are $1 million or $2 million per occurrence depending on whether a claim occurs inside or outside of the United States. The Company maintains certain other insurance coverage with deductibles as high as $5 million. Insurance is also purchased on rig properties and deductibles are typically $1 million per occurrence. Excess insurance is purchased over these coverages to limit the Company's exposure to catastrophic claims, but there can be no assurance that such coverage will respond or be adequate in all circumstances. Retained losses are estimated and accrued based upon the Company's

29


estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, and using the Company's historical loss experience and estimation methods that are believed to be reliable. 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.

Pension Costs and Obligations The Company's pension benefit costs and obligations are dependent on various actuarial assumptions. The Company makes assumptions relating to discount rates, rate of compensation increase, and expected return on plan assets. The Company's discount rate is determined by matching projected cash distributions with the appropriate corporate bond yields in a yield curve analysis. The discount rate was raised as of September 30, 2007 to reflect changes in the market conditions for high-quality fixed-income investments. The rate of compensation increase assumption reflects actual experience and future outlook. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results and future expectations of rates of return. Actual results that differ from estimated assumptions are accumulated and amortized over the estimated future working life of the plan participants and could therefore affect the expense recognized and obligations in future periods. As of September 30, 2006, the Pension Plan was frozen and benefit accruals were discontinued. As a result, the rate of compensation increase assumption has been eliminated from future periods. The Company anticipates pension expense in 2008 to decrease from 2007.

Stock-Based Compensation Historically, the Company has granted stock-based awards to key employees and non-employee directors as

30



part of their compensation. Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment ("SFAS 123(R)"), using the modified-prospective transition method, which requires that the fair value of unvested stock options be recognized in the income statement, over the remaining vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of grant by applying the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions, some of which are judgmental and highly sensitive. These assumptions include, among others, the expected stock price volatility, the expected life of the stock options and risk-free interest rate. Expected volatilities were estimated using the historical volatility of the Company's stock, based upon the expected term of the option. The Company was not aware of information in determining the grant date fair value that would have indicated that future volatility would be expected to be significantly different than historical volatility. The expected term of the option was derived from historical data and represents the period of time that options are estimated to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the estimated life of the option was based on the U.S. Treasury Strip rate in effect at the time of the grant. The fair value of each award is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for awards granted to employees. Stock-based awards granted to non-employee directors are expensed immediately upon grant.

The fair value of the restricted stock is based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of restricted stock awards to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. At September 30, 2007, unrecognized compensation cost related to

31



unvested restricted stock options was $4.6 million. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company accounted for share-based compensation under the "intrinsic value method" and the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Under this method, no share-based compensation expense associated with the Company's stock options was recognized in periods prior to fiscal 2006 as all options were granted with an exercise price no less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

Revenue Recognition Revenues and costs on daywork contracts are recognized daily as the work progresses. For certain contracts, payments are received that are contractually designated for the mobilization of rigs and other drilling equipment. Revenues earned, net of direct costs incurred for the mobilization, are deferred and recognized over the term of the related drilling contract. Other lump-sum payments received from customers relating to specific contracts are deferred and amortized to income as services are performed. Costs incurred to relocate rigs and other drilling equipment to areas in which a contract has not been secured are expensed as incurred.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires companies to recognize the overfunded or

32


underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position. This statement was adopted by the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. As discussed in Note 9 in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company's pension plan was frozen on September 30, 2006. As a result of the plan being frozen, the Company had effectively reflected the funded status of the plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet; therefore, SFAS 158 had no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108). SAB 108 considers the effects of prior year misstatements when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements. The guidance outlined in SAB 108 was effective for the Company in fiscal 2007 and is consistent with the historical practices the Company uses for assessing such matters when circumstances have required such an evaluation.

In June, 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company does not believe the adoption of this interpretation will have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

33



In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating SFAS No. 157 to determine the impact, if any, on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS No 159). SFAS No. 159 establishes a fair value option permitting entities to elect the option to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis and, with a few exceptions, is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007 and should not be applied retrospectively to fiscal years beginning prior to the effective date, except as permitted for early adoption. At the effective date, an entity may elect the fair value option for eligible items existing at that date and the adjustment for the initial remeasurement of those items to fair value should be reported as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, of SFAS No. 159 on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

34



QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk The Company has operations in several South American countries and Africa. With the exception of Argentina and Venezuela, the Company's exposure to currency valuation losses is usually immaterial due to the fact that virtually all invoice billings and receipts in other countries are in U.S. dollars. In Argentina, the Company's exposure is limited by the fact that the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Argentine peso has stayed within a narrow range for the last four years.

The Company is exposed to risks of currency devaluation in Venezuela primarily as a result of bolivar receivable balances and bolivar cash balances. In Venezuela, approximately 60 percent of the Company's billings to the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA, are in U.S. dollars and 40 percent are in the local currency, the bolivar. On October 1, 2003, in compliance with applicable regulations, the Company submitted a request to the Venezuelan government seeking permission to convert existing bolivar balances into U.S. dollars. In January 2004, the Venezuelan government approved the conversion of bolivar cash balances to U.S. dollars and the remittance of $8.8 million U.S. dollars as dividends by the Company's Venezuelan subsidiary to the U.S. based parent. This was the first dividend remitted under the new regulation. On January 16, 2006, a dividend of $6.5 million U.S. dollars was paid to the U.S. based parent. On August 18, 2006, the Company applied for a $9.3 million dividend. The Venezuelan government subsequently approved $7.2 million of this dividend and on March 6, 2007, the $7.2 million was paid to the U.S. based parent. As a consequence, the Company's exposure to currency devaluation has been reduced by these amounts.

35



On June 7, 2007, the Company began the process to make application with the Venezuelan government requesting the approval to convert bolivar cash balances to U.S. dollars. Upon approval from the Venezuelan government, the Company's Venezuelan subsidiary will remit those dollars as a dividend to its U.S. based parent, thus reducing the Company's exposure to currency devaluation. The Company anticipates the dividend to be approximately $8.3 million.

As stated above, the Company is exposed to risks of currency devaluation in Venezuela primarily as a result of bolivar receivable balances and bolivar cash balances. The exchange rate per U.S. dollar increased to 2150 bolivares during 2005 from 1920 bolivares at September 30, 2004. As a result of the 12 percent devaluation of the bolivar during fiscal 2005 (from September 2004 through August 2005), the Company experienced total devaluation losses of $.6 million during that same period. Past devaluation losses may not be reflective of the actual potential for future devaluation losses. Even though Venezuela continues to operate under the exchange controls in place and the Venezuelan bolivar exchange rate has remained fixed at 2150 bolivares to one U.S. dollar since the devaluation in March, 2005, the exact amount and timing of devaluation is uncertain. At September 30, 2007, the Company had a $25.6 million cash balance denominated in bolivares exposed to the risk of currency devaluation. While the Company is unable to predict future devaluation in Venezuela, if fiscal 2008 activity levels are similar to fiscal 2007 and if a 10 percent to 20 percent devaluation were to occur, the Company could experience potential currency devaluation losses ranging from approximately $3.5 million to $6.4 million.

The Company has an agreement with the Venezuelan state petroleum company whereby a portion of the Company's dollar-based invoices

36



are paid in U.S. dollars. There is no guarantee as to how long this arrangement will continue. Were this agreement to end, the Company would revert to receiving payments in bolivares and thus increase bolivar cash balances and exposure to devaluation.

Credit Risk The Company derives its revenue in Venezuela from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company. At September 30, 2007, the Company had a net receivable from PDVSA of $49.7 million of which $12.0 million was 90 days old or older. At November 1, 2007, such receivable balance had increased to approximately $50.3 million, of which approximately $14.4 million was 90 days old or older. The Company continues to communicate with PDVSA regarding the settlement of the outstanding receivables. While the collection of the receivables is difficult and time consuming due to PDVSA policies and procedures, the Company, at this time, has no reason to believe the amounts will not be paid. Historically, PDVSA payments on accounts receivable have, by traditional business measurements, been slower than that of other customers in international countries in which the Company has drilling operations.

Commodity Price Risk The demand for contract drilling services is a result of exploration and production companies spending money to explore and develop drilling prospects in search of crude oil and natural gas. Their appetite for such spending is driven by their cash flow and financial strength, which is very dependent on, among other things, crude oil and natural gas commodity prices. Crude oil prices are determined by a number of factors including supply and demand, worldwide economic conditions, and geopolitical factors. Crude oil and natural gas prices have been volatile and very difficult to predict. This difficulty has led many exploration and production companies

37



to base their capital spending on much more conservative estimates of commodity prices. As a result, demand for contract drilling services is not always purely a function of the movement of commodity prices.

The prices for drilling rig components have experienced increases in the last year. While these materials have generally been available to the Company at acceptable prices, there is no assurance the prices will not vary significantly in the future. The Company attempts to secure favorable prices through advanced ordering and purchasing. Additionally, future fluctuations in market conditions causing increased prices in materials and supplies could impact future operating costs adversely.

Interest Rate Risk The Company's interest rate risk exposure results primarily from short-term rates, mainly LIBOR-based, on borrowings from its commercial banks. The Company has reduced the impact of fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a portion of its debt portfolio in fixed-rate debt. At September 30, 2007, the amount of the Company's fixed-rate debt was approximately 39 percent of total debt.

The following tables provide information as of September 30, 2007 and 2006 about the Company's interest rate risk sensitive instruments:

INTEREST RATE RISK AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 (dollars in thousands)

 
 
2008

 
2009

 
2010

 
2011

 
2012

  After
2012

 
Total

  Fair Value
9/30/07

Fixed Rate Debt   $   $ 25,000   $   $   $ 75,000   $ 75,000   $ 175,000   $ 182,269
  Average Interest Rate         5.9 %           6.5 %   6.6 %   6.5 %    
Variable Rate Debt   $   $   $   $ 270,000   $   $   $ 270,000   $ 270,000
  Average Interest Rate (a)                             (a )    

38


(a)  Advances bear interest rates ranging from 5.48% to 6.15%

INTEREST RATE RISK AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 (dollars in thousands)

 
 
2007

 
2008

 
2009

 
2010

 
2011

  After
2011

 
Total

  Fair Value
at 9/30/06

Fixed Rate Long-term Debt   $ 25,000   $   $ 25,000   $   $   $ 150,000   $ 200,000   $ 209,000
  Average Interest Rate     5.5 %       5.9 %           6.5 %   6.4 %    
Fixed Rate Notes Payable (b)   $ 3,721                                 $ 3,721   $ 3,721
  Average Interest Rate     13.0 %                                 13.0 %    

(b)  Denominated in a foreign currency

Equity Price Risk On September 30, 2007, the Company had a portfolio of securities with a total market value of $457.5 million. The total market value of the portfolio of securities was $336.1 million at September 30, 2006. The Company's investments in Atwood Oceanics, Inc. and Schlumberger, Ltd. made up 93 percent of the portfolio's market value at September 30, 2007. Although the Company sold portions of its positions in Schlumberger in 2007, 2006 and 2005, and Atwood in the first fiscal quarter of 2005, the Company makes no specific plans to sell securities, but rather sells securities based on market conditions and other circumstances. These securities are subject to a wide variety and number of market-related risks that could substantially reduce or increase the market value of the Company's holdings. Except for the Company's holdings in its equity affiliate, Atwood Oceanics, Inc. and investments in limited partnerships carried at cost, the portfolio is recorded at fair value on its balance sheet with changes in unrealized after-tax value reflected in the equity section of its balance sheet. Any reduction in market value would have an impact on the Company's debt ratio and financial strength.

39


Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. at September 30, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Helmerich & Payne Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 26, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2006 the Company changed its method of accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
November 26, 2007

40



Consolidated Statements of Income

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
      (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
OPERATING REVENUES                    
  Drilling – U.S. Land   $ 1,174,956   $ 829,062   $ 527,637  
  Drilling – Offshore     123,148     154,543     106,296  
  Drilling – International Land     320,283     230,829     156,105  
  Real Estate     11,271     10,379     10,688  
   
 
      1,629,658     1,224,813     800,726  
   
 
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES                    
  Operating costs, excluding depreciation     862,254     661,563     484,231  
  Depreciation     146,042     101,583     96,274  
  General and administrative     47,401     51,873     41,015  
  Gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets     (16,661 )        
  Income from asset sales     (41,697 )   (7,492 )   (13,550 )
   
 
      997,339     807,527     607,970  
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Operating income     632,319     417,286     192,756  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Other income (expense)                    
  Interest and dividend income     4,234     9,834     5,809  
  Interest expense     (10,126 )   (6,644 )   (12,642 )
  Gain on sale of investment securities     65,458     19,866     26,969  
  Other     (1,532 )   639     (235 )
   
 
      58,034     23,695     19,901  
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Income before income taxes and equity in income of affiliate     690,353     440,981     212,657  
Income tax provision     250,984     154,391     87,463  
Equity in income of affiliate net of income taxes     9,892     7,268     2,412  
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NET INCOME   $ 449,261   $ 293,858   $ 127,606  
   
 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Basic   $ 4.35   $ 2.81   $ 1.25  
  Diluted   $ 4.27   $ 2.77   $ 1.23  
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands):                    
  Basic     103,338     104,658     102,174  
  Diluted     105,128     106,091     104,066  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

41



Consolidated Balance Sheets

ASSETS

September 30,

  2007

  2006

      (in thousands)

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 89,215   $ 33,853
  Short term investments     352     48,673
  Accounts receivable, less reserve of $2,957 in 2007 and $2,007 in 2006     339,819     289,479
  Inventories     29,145     26,165
  Deferred income taxes     11,559     10,168
  Assets held for sale         4,234
  Prepaid expenses and other     28,874     16,119
   
    Total current assets     498,964     428,691
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
INVESTMENTS     223,360     218,309
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:            
  Contract drilling equipment     2,651,680     1,911,039
  Construction in progress     214,642     220,603
  Real estate properties     59,467     58,286
  Other     131,482     113,788
   
      3,057,271     2,303,716
  Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization     904,655     820,582
   
    Net property, plant and equipment     2,152,616     1,483,134
   
OTHER ASSETS     10,429     4,578
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 2,885,369   $ 2,134,712
   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

42



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

September 30,

  2007

  2006

      (in thousands, except share data)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Notes payable   $   $ 3,721
  Accounts payable     124,556     138,750
  Accrued liabilities     102,056     97,077
  Long-term debt due within one year         25,000
   
    Total current liabilities     226,612     264,548
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Long-term debt     445,000     175,000
  Deferred income taxes     363,534     269,919
  Other     34,707     43,353
   
    Total noncurrent liabilities     843,241     488,272
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized,
    107,057,904 shares issued and outstanding
    10,706     10,706
  Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued        
  Additional paid-in capital     143,146     135,500
  Retained earnings     1,645,766     1,215,127
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     75,885     69,645
   
      1,875,503     1,430,978
  Less treasury stock, 3,572,961 shares in 2007 and
    3,188,760 shares in 2006, at cost
    59,987     49,086
   
Total shareholders' equity     1,815,516     1,381,892
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 2,885,369   $ 2,134,712
   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

43



Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

 
  Common Stock
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital

   
   
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

  Treasury Stock
   
 
 
  Retained
Earnings

  Unearned
Compensation

   
 
 
  Shares
  Amount
  Shares
  Amount
  Total
 
 
 
 
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Balance, September 30, 2004   107,058   $ 10,706   $ 80,113   $ 828,763   $   $ 36,252   6,167   $ (41,724 ) $ 914,110  
                                                     
Comprehensive Income:                                                    
  Net income                     127,606                           127,606  
  Other comprehensive
    income (loss):
                                                   
    Unrealized gains on
    available-for-sale
    securities, net
                                14,708               14,708  
    Minimum pension
    liability adjustment,
    net
                                (3,416 )             (3,416 )
                                               
 
  Total other comprehensive
    gain
                                                11,292  
                                               
 
Total comprehensive income                                                 138,898  
                                               
 
Capital adjustment of equity
    investee
              2,682                                 2,682  
Stock issued under Restricted
    Stock Award Plan
              93           (160 )       (10 )   67      
Cash dividends ($.165 per
    share)
                    (16,989 )                         (16,989 )
Exercise of stock options               8,903                     (2,968 )   16,455     25,358  
Tax benefit of stock-based
    awards
              15,153                                 15,153  
Amortization of deferred
    compensation
                          26                     26  
   
 
Balance, September 30, 2005   107,058     10,706     106,944     939,380     (134 )   47,544   3,189     (25,202 )   1,079,238  
Comprehensive Income:                                                    
  Net income                     293,858                           293,858  
  Other comprehensive
    income (loss):
                                                   
    Unrealized gains on
    available-for-sale
    securities, net
                                17,591               17,591  
    Minimum pension
    liability adjustment,
    net
                                4,510               4,510  
                                               
 
  Total other comprehensive
    gain
                                                22,101  
                                               
 
Total comprehensive income                                                 315,959  
                                               
 
Reversal of unearned
    compensation upon
    adoption of SFAS 123(R)
              (66 )         134         10     (68 )    
Cash dividends ($.1725 per
    share)
                    (18,111 )                         (18,111 )
Exercise of stock options               6,019                     (1,335 )   6,353     12,372  
Tax benefit of stock-based
    awards, including excess
    tax benefits of $10.2 million
              12,851                                 12,851  
Repurchase of common stock                                     1,325     (30,169 )   (30,169 )
Stock-based compensation               9,752                                 9,752  
   
 
Balance, September 30, 2006   107,058     10,706     135,500     1,215,127         69,645   3,189     (49,086 )   1,381,892  
Comprehensive Income:                                                    
  Net income                     449,261                           449,261  
  Other comprehensive
    income (loss):
                                                   
    Unrealized gains on
    available-for-sale
    securities, net
                                (2,930 )             (2,930 )
    Minimum pension
    liability adjustment,
    net
                                9,170               9,170  
                                               
 
  Total other comprehensive
    gain
                                                6,240  
                                               
 
Total comprehensive income                                                 455,501  
                                               
 
Cash dividends ($.18 per
    share)
                    (18,622 )                         (18,622 )
Exercise of stock options               (1,156 )                   (298 )   4,958     3,802  
Tax benefit of stock-based
    awards, including excess
    tax benefits of $1.5 million
              1,792                                 1,792  
Repurchase of common stock                                     682     (15,859 )   (15,859 )
Stock-based compensation               7,010                                 7,010  
   
 
Balance, September 30, 2007   107,058   $ 10,706   $ 143,146   $ 1,645,766   $   $ 75,885   3,573   $ (59,987 ) $ 1,815,516  
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

44



Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
      (in thousands)  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Net income   $ 449,261   $ 293,858   $ 127,606  
  Adjustments to reconcile income
    to net cash provided by operating activities:
                   
      Depreciation     146,042     101,583     96,274  
      Provision for bad debt     1,030     250     530  
      Equity in income of affiliate before income
    taxes
    (15,954 )   (11,723 )   (3,891 )
      Stock-based compensation     7,010     9,752     26  
      Gain on sale of investment securities     (65,320 )   (19,730 )   (26,969 )
      Gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived
    assets
    (16,661 )        
      Gain on sale of assets     (41,697 )   (7,492 )   (13,550 )
      Deferred income tax expense     82,294     3,504     38,014  
      Other – net     1,000     (987 )   (879 )
      Change in assets and liabilities:                    
        Accounts receivable     (53,773 )   (120,740 )   (46,223 )
        Inventories     (2,980 )   (4,852 )   (487 )
        Prepaid expenses and other     (18,606 )   372     1,451  
        Accounts payable     73,780     (11,064 )   8,517  
        Accrued liabilities     5,299     55,112     12,736  
        Deferred income taxes     6,107     4,490     16,557  
        Other noncurrent liabilities     4,235     4,057     2,526  
   
 
          Net cash provided by operating activities     561,067     296,390     212,238  
   
 
                     
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Capital expenditures     (894,214 )   (528,905 )   (86,805 )
  Proceeds from asset sales     51,568     11,778     28,992  
  Insurance proceeds from involuntary conversion     16,257     2,970      
  Purchase of investments         (148,440 )   (5,000 )
  Proceeds from sale of investments     127,819     113,715     65,539  
   
 
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing
    activities
    (698,570 )   (548,882 )   2,726  
   
 
                     
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Repurchase of common stock     (17,621 )   (28,407 )    
  Increase (decrease) in short-term notes     (3,721 )   3,721      
  Decrease in long-term debt     (25,000 )        
  Proceeds from line of credit     1,490,000          
  Payments on line of credit     (1,220,000 )        
  Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft     (17,430 )   17,430      
  Dividends paid     (18,638 )   (17,712 )   (16,866 )
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options     3,802     12,372     25,358  
  Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation     1,473     10,189      
   
 
          Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities
    192,865     (2,407 )   8,492  
   
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     55,362     (254,899 )   223,456  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     33,853     288,752     65,296  
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 89,215   $ 33,853   $ 288,752  
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

45



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (the Company), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Fiscal years of the Company's foreign operations end on August 31 to facilitate reporting of consolidated results. There were no significant intervening events which materially affected the financial statements.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Certain amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Specifically, fiscal years 2006 and 2005 operating revenues for Drilling – Offshore and for Drilling – International Land have been restated to reflect a change in those two segments more fully described in Note 15.

All prior period common stock and applicable share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a 2-for-1 split of the Company's common stock effective June 26, 2006.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The Company's functional currency for all its foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates and monetary assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Income statement accounts are translated at average rates for the year. Gains and losses from remeasurement of foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in direct operating costs. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are also included in current results of operations. Aggregate foreign currency remeasurement and transaction gains included in direct operating costs totaled $1.0 million in 2007 and losses included in direct operating costs totaled $0.3 million and $0.8 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Substantially all property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets (contract drilling equipment, 4-15 years; real estate buildings and equipment, 10-50 years; and other, 3-33 years). The Company charges the cost of maintenance and repairs to direct operating cost, while betterments and refurbishments are capitalized.

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CAPITALIZATION OF INTEREST

The Company capitalizes interest on major projects during construction. Interest is capitalized based on the average interest rate on related debt. Capitalized interest for 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $9.4 million, $6.1 million, and $0.3 million, respectively.

VALUATION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, including intangible assets, when events or circumstances warrant such a review. Changes that could trigger such an assessment may include a significant decline in revenue or cash margin per day, extended periods of low rig utilization, changes in market demand for a specific asset, obsolescence, completion of specific contracts, and/or overall general market conditions. If a review of the long-lived assets indicates that the carrying value of certain of these assets is more than the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is made to adjust the carrying value to the estimated fair market value of the asset.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash equivalents consist of investments in short-term, highly liquid securities having original maturities of three months or less, which are made as part of the Company's cash management activity. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair market values. The Company primarily utilizes a cash management system with a series of separate accounts consisting of lockbox accounts for receiving cash, concentration accounts for moving funds into, and several "zero-balance" disbursement accounts for funding payroll and accounts payable. As a result of the Company's cash management system, checks issued, but not presented to the banks for payment, may create negative book cash balances. Checks outstanding in excess of related book cash balances totaling approximately $17.4 million at September 30, 2006 are included in accounts payable. At September 30, 2007, there were no negative book cash balances.

RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $8.2 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Restricted cash is primarily for the purpose of potential insurance claims in the Company's wholly-owned captive insurance company. Of the total at September 30, 2007, $2.0 million is from the initial capitalization of the captive and management has elected to restrict an additional $5.5 million. The remaining $0.7 million restricted cash is for indemnification on outstanding importation bonds. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in short-term money market securities.

The restricted cash and cash equivalents are reflected in the balance sheet as follows (in thousands):

September 30,

  2007

  2006

Other current assets   $ 6,203   $ 2,273
Other assets   $ 2,000   $ 2,000

INVENTORIES AND SUPPLIES

Inventories and supplies are primarily replacement parts and supplies held for use in the Company's drilling operations. Inventories and supplies are valued at the lower of cost (moving average or actual) or market value.

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DRILLING REVENUES

Contract drilling revenues are comprised of daywork drilling contracts for which the related revenues and expenses are recognized as services are performed. For certain contracts, the Company receives payments contractually designated for the mobilization of rigs and other drilling equipment. Mobilization payments received, and direct costs incurred for the mobilization are deferred and recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the related drilling contract. Costs incurred to relocate rigs and other drilling equipment to areas in which a contract has not been secured are expensed as incurred. Reimbursements received by the Company for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as revenues and direct costs.

RENT REVENUES

The Company enters into leases with tenants in its rental properties consisting primarily of retail and multi-tenant warehouse space. The lease terms of tenants occupying space in the retail centers and warehouse buildings range from one to eleven years. Minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases. Overage and percentage rents are based on tenants' sales volume. Recoveries from tenants for property taxes and operating expenses are recognized as Real Estate revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company's rent revenues are as follows:

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Minimum rents   $ 8,873   $ 8,538   $ 7,606
Overage and percentage rents   $ 1,474   $ 1,219   $ 1,162

At September 30, 2007, minimum future rental income to be received on noncancelable operating leases was as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year

  Amount

       
2008   $ 7,286
2009     5,488
2010     4,544
2011     3,590
2012     2,328
Thereafter     5,559
   
  Total   $ 28,795
   

Leasehold improvement allowances are capitalized and amortized over the lease term.

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At September 30, 2007 and 2006, the cost and accumulated depreciation for real estate properties were as follows:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

 
               
Real estate properties   $ 59,467   $ 58,286  
Accumulated depreciation     (33,886 )   (31,664 )
   
 
 
    $ 25,581   $ 26,622  
   
 
 

INVESTMENTS

The Company maintains investments in equity securities of unaffiliated companies. The cost of securities used in determining realized gains and losses is based on the average cost basis of the security sold.

The Company regularly reviews investment securities for impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment's carrying value exceeds its related market value, the duration of the market decline and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary are recognized in earnings.

Investments in companies owned from 20 to 50 percent are accounted for using the equity method with the Company recognizing its proportionate share of the income or loss of the investee. The Company owned approximately 21.7 percent of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (Atwood) at September 30, 2004. In October 2004, the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of its position in Atwood as part of a public offering of Atwood. The sale generated $15.9 million ($0.15 per diluted share) of net income in fiscal 2005. In March 2006, Atwood had a two-for-one stock split. The Company currently owns 4,000,000 shares of Atwood which represents approximately 12.6 percent of Atwood. The Company continues to account for Atwood on the equity method as the Company continues to have significant influence through its board of director seats.

The quoted market value of the Company's investment in Atwood was $306.2 million and $179.9 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Retained earnings at September 30, 2007 and 2006 includes approximately $41.5 million and $31.6 million, respectively, of undistributed earnings of Atwood.

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Summarized financial information of Atwood is as follows:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Gross revenues   $ 403,037   $ 276,625   $ 176,156
Costs and expenses     264,013     190,503     149,785
   
 
 
Net income   $ 139,024   $ 86,122   $ 26,371
   
 
 
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.'s equity in net income, net of income taxes   $ 9,892   $ 7,268   $ 2,412
   
 
 
                   
Current assets   $ 216,179   $ 147,673   $ 93,283
Noncurrent assets     501,545     446,156     403,641
Current liabilities     57,630     61,365     56,159
Noncurrent liabilities     44,239     73,570     78,268
   
 
 
Shareholders' equity   $ 615,855   $ 458,894   $ 362,497
   
 
 
                   
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.'s investment   $ 74,210   $ 58,256   $ 46,533
   
 
 

INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes are computed using the liability method and are provided on all temporary differences between the financial basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities.

POST EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS

The Company sponsors a health care plan that provides post retirement medical benefits to retired employees. Employees who retire after November 1, 1992 and elect to participate in the plan pay the entire estimated cost of such benefits.

The Company has accrued a liability for estimated worker's compensation claims incurred. The liability for other benefits to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement is not material.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with stock options in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment". Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation related to stock options under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. Therefore, the Company measured compensation expense for its stock option plan using the intrinsic value method-that is, as the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Company's stock at the grant date over the amount required to be paid to acquire the stock-and provided the disclosures required by SFAS No. 123. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided under SFAS No. 123(R) and, as a result, has not retroactively adjusted results from

50


prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation expense associated with stock options recognized in fiscal 2007 and 2006 includes: 1) expense related to the remaining unvested portion of all stock option awards granted prior to October 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123; and 2) expense related to all stock option awards granted subsequent to October 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R).

The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) also resulted in certain changes to the Company's accounting for its restricted stock awards, which is discussed in Note 5 in more detail.

TREASURY STOCK

Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. Gains and losses on the subsequent reissuance of shares are credited or charged to additional paid-in-capital using the average-cost method.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires companies to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position. This statement was adopted by the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. As discussed further in Note 9, the Company's pension plan was frozen on September 30, 2006. As a result of the plan being frozen, the Company had effectively reflected the funded status of the plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheets; therefore, SFAS 158 had no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108). SAB 108 considers the effects of prior year misstatements when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements. The guidance outlined in SAB 108 was effective for the Company in fiscal 2007 and is consistent with the historical practices the Company uses for assessing such matters when circumstances have required such an evaluation.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company does not believe the adoption of this interpretation will have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after

51



November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating SFAS No. 157 to determine the impact, if any, on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 establishes a fair value option permitting entities to elect the option to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on specified election dates. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with a few exceptions, is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007 and should not be applied retrospectively to fiscal years beginning prior to the effective date, except as permitted for early adoption. At the effective date, an entity may elect the fair value option for eligible items existing at that date and the adjustment for the initial remeasurement of those items to fair value should be reported as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, of SFAS No. 159 on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2 NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

At September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company had $445 million and $200 million, respectively, in unsecured long-term debt outstanding at rates and maturities shown in the following table:

 
   
  September 30,

 
Maturity Date

  Interest Rate

  2007

  2006

 
Fixed-rate debt:                  
  August 15, 2007   5.51%   $   $ 25,000,000  
  August 15, 2009   5.91%     25,000,000     25,000,000  
  August 15, 2012   6.46%     75,000,000     75,000,000  
  August 15, 2014   6.56%     75,000,000     75,000,000  
Senior credit facility:                  
  December 18, 2011   5.48%-6.15%     270,000,000      
       
 
 
        $ 445,000,000   $ 200,000,000  
Less long-term debt due within one year         (25,000,000 )
       
 
 
Long-term debt       $ 445,000,000   $ 175,000,000  
       
 
 

The terms of the fixed-rate debt obligations require the Company to maintain a minimum ratio of debt to total capitalization. The debt is held by various entities, including $8 million held by a company affiliated with one of the Company's Board members.

On December 18, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with a multi-bank syndicate for a five-year, $400 million senior unsecured credit facility. While the Company has the option to borrow at the prime rate for maturities of less than 30 days, the Company anticipates that the majority of all the borrowings over the life of the facility will accrue interest at a spread over the London Interbank Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The Company

52



pays a commitment fee based on the unused balance of the facility. The spread over LIBOR as well as the commitment fee is determined according to a scale based on a ratio of the Company's total debt to total capitalization. The LIBOR spread ranges from .30 percent to .45 percent depending on the ratio. At September 30, 2007, the LIBOR spread on borrowings was .35 percent and the commitment fee was .075 percent per annum.

Financial covenants in the facility require the Company to maintain a funded leverage ratio (as defined) of less than 50 percent and an interest coverage ratio (as defined) of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. The new facility contains additional terms, conditions, and restrictions that the Company believes are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality. At closing, the Company transferred two letters of credit totaling $20.9 million to the facility that remained outstanding at September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $270 million borrowed against the facility with $109.1 million left available to borrow. The advances bear interest ranging from 5.48 percent to 6.15 percent. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the outstanding balance was reduced by $10 million.

At September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

In conjunction with the $400 million senior unsecured credit facility, the Company entered into an agreement with a single bank to amend and restate the previous unsecured line of credit from $50 million to $5 million. Pricing on the amended line of credit is prime minus 1.75 percent. The covenants and other terms and conditions are similar to the aforementioned senior credit facility except that there is no commitment fee. At September 30, 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings against this line.

Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company obtained letters of credit with a financial institution totaling approximately $3.1 million to secure importation bonds in Trinidad and Tobago associated with moving a rig into that country.

As of September 30, 2006, the Company had four outstanding unsecured notes payable to a bank totaling $3.7 million denominated in a foreign currency. The interest rate of the notes was 13 percent with a 60 day maturity. The notes and interest were paid in full during fiscal 2007.

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NOTE 3 INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Current:                  
  Federal   $ 125,169   $ 136,370   $ 39,139
  Foreign     31,552     4,304     8,185
  State     11,969     10,213     2,125
   
      168,690     150,887     49,449
   
Deferred:                  
  Federal     74,389     10,252     31,573
  Foreign     1,528     (7,776 )   4,863
  State     6,377     1,028     1,578
   
      82,294     3,504     38,014
   
Total provision   $ 250,984   $ 154,391   $ 87,463
   

The amounts of domestic and foreign income before income taxes and equity in income of affiliate are as follows:

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Domestic   $ 579,589   $ 389,595   $ 195,978
Foreign     110,764     51,386     16,679
   
    $ 690,353   $ 440,981   $ 212,657
   

Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. Recoverability of any tax assets are evaluated and necessary allowances are provided. The carrying value of the net deferred tax assets assumes, based on estimates and assumptions, that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to realize the benefits of such assets. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, additional valuation allowances will be recorded against the deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the future.

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The components of the Company's net deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

      (in thousands)
Deferred tax liabilities:            
  Property, plant and equipment   $ 303,915   $ 220,851
  Available-for-sale securities     46,501     48,593
  Equity investments     25,413     19,350
  Other     1,415     51
   
    Total deferred tax liabilities     377,244     288,845
   
Deferred tax assets:            
  Pension reserves     1,689     8,441
  Self-insurance reserves     2,884     3,384
  Net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards     26,926     33,029
  Financial accruals     21,995     17,260
  Other     6     9
   
    Total deferred tax assets     53,500     62,123
  Valuation allowance     28,231     33,029
   
    Net deferred tax assets     25,269     29,094
   
Net deferred tax liabilities   $ 351,975   $ 259,751
   

Reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2006 balances for certain components of deferred tax assets and liabilities in order to conform to the current year's presentation.

The change in the Company's net deferred tax assets and liabilities is impacted by foreign currency remeasurement.

As of September 30, 2007 the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes of $3.9 million, and foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $25.7 million which will expire in years 2010 through 2015. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to foreign net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards for which it is more likely than not that these will not be utilized.

Effective income tax rates as compared to the U.S Federal income tax rate are as follows:

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
               
U.S. Federal income tax rate   35 % 35 % 35 %
Effect of foreign taxes   (1 ) (1 ) 3  
State income taxes   2   1   3  
   
 
Effective income tax rate   36 % 35 % 41 %
   
 

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NOTE 4 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

On March 1, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split on its common stock, subject to shareholder approval of an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares of the Company. On June 23, 2006, the Company's shareholders approved the amendment. As a result, the split was paid in the form of a share distribution on July 7, 2006 to the shareholders of record on June 26, 2006. The Company retained the current par value of $.10 per share for all shares of common stock. All references in the financial statements to the number of shares outstanding, per share amounts, and stock option data of the Company's common stock have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock split for all periods presented.

On September 30, 2007, the Company had 103,484,943 outstanding common stock purchase rights ("Rights") pursuant to terms of the Rights Agreement dated January 8, 1996, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated December 8, 2005. As adjusted for the two-for-one stock splits in fiscals 1998 and 2006, and as long as the rights are not separately transferable, one-half right attaches to each share of the Company's common stock. Under the terms of the Rights Agreement each Right entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company one full unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock"), without par value, at a price of $250 per unit. The exercise price and the number of units of Preferred Stock issuable on exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment in certain cases to prevent dilution. The Rights will be attached to the common stock certificates and are not exercisable or transferable apart from the common stock, until ten business days after a person acquires 15 percent or more of the outstanding common stock or ten business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person owning 15 percent or more of the outstanding common stock. In the event the Company is acquired in a merger or certain other business combination transactions (including one in which the Company is the surviving corporation), or more than 50 percent of the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a Right shall have the right to receive, upon exercise of the Right, common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. The Rights are redeemable under certain circumstances at $0.01 per Right and will expire, unless earlier redeemed, on January 31, 2016.

NOTE 5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has several plans providing for stock based awards to employees and to non-employee directors from which stock grants have been made. On March 1, 2006, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) was approved. Upon approval of the Plan, no further grants could be made from those prior plans. However, awards outstanding in those prior plans remain subject to the terms and conditions of those plans.

The provisions of the Plan, among other things, authorizes the Board of Directors to grant nonqualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights and performance units to selected employees and to non-employee Directors. Restricted stock may be granted for no consideration other than prior and future services. The purchase price per share for stock options may not be less than market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Stock options expire ten years after grant.

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The Company has the right to satisfy option exercises from treasury shares and from authorized but unissued shares. During fiscal 2007, the Company purchased 681,900 shares at an aggregate cost of $15.9 million. During fiscal 2006, 1,325,200 shares were purchased at an aggregate cost of $30.2 million of which $1.8 million did not settle until after September 30, 2006. The Company may purchase additional shares if the share price is favorable.

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share Based Payment ("SFAS 123(R)"). SFAS 123(R) is a revision of SFAS No. 123, as amended, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"), and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25"). SFAS 123(R) eliminated the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in SFAS 123, which generally resulted in no compensation expense recorded in the financial statements related to the issuance of stock options with an exercise price that was equal to the award's grant date fair value. SFAS 123(R) requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. SFAS 123(R) established fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value based measurement method in accounting for all share-based payment transactions with employees.

In October 2005, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using a modified prospective application, as permitted under SFAS 123(R). Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated. Under this application, the Company is required to record compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption. Additionally, SFAS 123(R) requires that the benefits of the tax deduction in excess of recognized compensation cost be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under previously effective accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) also resulted in certain changes to the Company's accounting for restricted stock awards, which is discussed below in more detail.

A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in general and administrative expense and cash received from the exercise of stock options in fiscal 2007 and 2006 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

September 30,

  2007

  2006

Compensation expense            
  Stock options   $ 5,643   $ 8,714
  Restricted stock     1,367     1,038
   
 
    $ 7,010   $ 9,752
   
 
  After-tax stock based compensation   $ 4,346   $ 6,046
   
 
  Per basic share   $ .04   $ .06
   
 
  Per diluted share   $ .04   $ .06
   
 
  Cash received from exercise of stock options   $ 3,802   $ 12,372
   
 

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Benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost of $1.5 million and $10.2 million are reported as a financing cash flow in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flow for fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.

In December 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting of share options held by a senior executive who retired. As a result of that modification, the Company recognized additional compensation expense of $2.8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 that is included in the table above.

STOCK OPTIONS

Vesting requirements for stock options are determined by the Human Resources Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Options granted December 6, 1995, began vesting December 6, 1998, with 20 percent of the options vesting for five consecutive years. Options granted December 4, 1996, began vesting December 4, 1997, with 20 percent of the options vesting for five consecutive years. Options granted since December 3, 1997, began vesting one year after the grant date with 25 percent of the options vesting for four consecutive years.

Prior to adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company used the Black-Scholes formula to estimate the value of stock options granted to employees. The Company continues to use this acceptable option valuation model following the adoption of SFAS 123(R). The fair value of the options is amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the stock awards, which are generally the vesting periods. The following summarizes the weighted-average assumptions in the model.

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

 
Risk-free interest rate   4.6 % 4.5 % 4.2 %
Expected stock volatility   35.9 % 36.9 % 40.3 %
Dividend yield   .7 % .5 % 1.0 %
Expected term (in years)   5.5   5.2   5.0  

Risk-Free Interest Rate.    The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury securities for the expected term of the option.

Expected Volatility Rate.    Expected volatilities are based on the daily closing price of the Company's stock based upon historical experience over a period which approximates the expected term of the option.

Expected Dividend Yield.    The dividend yield is based on the Company's current dividend yield.

Expected Term.    The expected term of the options granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company estimates the expected term of options granted based on historical experience with grants and exercises.

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The following summary reflects the stock option activity for the Company's common stock and related information for 2007, 2006, and 2005 (shares in thousands):

 
  2007
  2006
  2005
 
  Options
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

  Options
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

  Options
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price


Outstanding at October 1,   5,619   $ 14.24   6,488   $ 12.29   8,914   $ 11.02
Granted   731     26.90   640     29.68   926     16.01
Exercised   (298 )   12.77   (1,483 )   12.25   (3,222 )   9.79
Forfeited/Expired   (20 )   28.57   (26 )   18.56   (130 )   13.61

Outstanding on September 30,   6,032   $ 15.80   5,619   $ 14.24   6,488   $ 12.29

Exercisable on September 30,   4,335   $ 12.70   3,847   $ 11.74   4,054   $ 11.37

Shares available to grant   3,221         4,000         1,510      

Restricted stock awards granted under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan are counted against the limit of shares available for issuance under such plan at the rate of 1.8 shares for each share granted.

The following table summarizes information about stock options at September 30, 2007 (shares in thousands):

 
  Outstanding Stock Options
  Exercisable Stock Options
Range of
Exercise Prices

  Options
  Weighted-Average
Remaining Life

  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

  Options
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price


$6.3975 to $9.4178   874   1.7   $ 8.02   874   $ 8.02
$11.3318 to $16.0100   3,843   5.3   $ 13.26   3,280   $ 13.01
$26.8950 to $30.2375   1,315   8.7   $ 28.41   181   $ 29.80

$6.3975 to $30.2375   6,032   5.5   $ 15.80   4,335   $ 12.70

At September 30, 2007, the weighted-average remaining life of exercisable stock options was 4.5 years and the aggregate intrinsic value was $87.3 million with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.70 per share.

The number of options expected to vest at September 30, 2007 was 5,983,240 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $102.4 million and a weighted-average exercise price of $15.72 per share.

As of September 30, 2007, the unrecognized compensation cost related to the stock options was $10.6 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.

The weighted-average fair value of options granted during 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $10.36, $11.40 and $6.09, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $5.8 million, $34.9, and $41.3 million, respectively.

The fair value of shares vested during 2007 and 2006 was $5.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively.

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Prior to October 1, 2005, stock-based awards were accounted for under APB 25 and related interpretations. Fixed plan common stock options generally did not result in compensation expense because the exercise price of the options issued by the Company was equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on the net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (in thousands, except per share amounts):

September 30,

  2005

 
Net income, as reported   $ 127,606  
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income, net
    of related tax effects
    16  
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all
    awards, net of related tax effects
    (3,563 )
   
 
Pro forma net income   $ 124,059  
   
 
Earnings per share:        
  Basic – as reported   $ 1.25  
   
 
  Basic – pro forma   $ 1.21  
   
 
  Diluted – as reported   $ 1.23  
   
 
  Diluted – pro forma   $ 1.19  
   
 

RESTRICTED STOCK

Restricted stock awards consist of the Company's common stock and are time vested over three to five years. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing trading price of the Company's shares on the grant date. As of September 30, 2007, there was $4.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock options granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.3 years.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), unearned compensation related to restricted stock awards was classified as a separate component of stockholders' equity. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), on October 1, 2005, the balance in unearned compensation was reclassified to additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet.

A summary of the status of the Company's restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2007, and of changes in restricted stock outstanding during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows (share amounts in thousands):

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

 
  Shares
  Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Share

  Shares
  Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Share

  Shares
  Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Share


Outstanding at
    October 1,
  213   $ 29.57   10   $ 16.01     $
Granted   27     26.90   203     30.24   10     16.01
Vested                  
Forfeited/Expired                  

Outstanding on
    September 30,
  240   $ 29.27   213   $ 29.57   10   $ 16.01

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NOTE 6 EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if stock options were exercised and the dilution from the issuance of restricted shares, computed using the treasury stock method.

A reconciliation of the weighted-average common shares outstanding on a basic and diluted basis is as follows:

 
  2007

  2006

  2005

 
  (in thousands)

Basic weighted-average shares   103,338   104,658   102,174
Effect of dilutive shares:            
  Stock options and restricted stock   1,790   1,433   1,892
   
Diluted weighted-average shares   105,128   106,091   104,066
   

At September 30, 2007, options to purchase 593,950 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $30.2375 were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. Inclusion of these shares would be antidilutive.

At September 30, 2006, options to purchase 809,450 shares of common stock at a weighted-average price of $30.2375 were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. Inclusion of these shares would be antidilutive.

At September 30, 2005, all options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share.

NOTE 7 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company had $175 million of fixed-rate long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 2007, which had an estimated fair value of $182 million. The debt was valued based on the prices of similar securities with similar terms and credit ratings. The Company used the expertise of an outside investment banking firm to assist with the estimate of the fair value of the long-term debt. The Company's line of credit bears interest at market rates and the cost of borrowings, if any, would approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company's available-for-sale securities is primarily based on market quotes.

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The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities, which excludes those accounted for under the equity method of accounting (see Note 1), investments in limited partnerships carried at cost and assets held in a Non-qualified Supplemental Savings Plan:

 
  Cost
  Gross Unrealized
Gains

  Gross Unrealized
Losses

  Estimated Fair
Value

 
 
 
  (in thousands)

Equity Securities:                        
  September 30, 2007   $ 11,329   $ 117,646   $   $ 128,975
  September 30, 2006   $ 19,413   $ 122,490   $ (115 ) $ 141,788

On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the marketable equity securities to determine if a decline in fair market is other-than-temporary. If a decline in fair market value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis established. In determining if an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, the Company considers how long the market value of the investment has been below cost, how significant the decline in value is as a percentage of the original cost and the market in general and analyst recommendations. At September 30, 2006, one marketable equity security had a fair market value of $1.5 million which was less than the recorded cost. The security had been in a continuous loss position for approximately four months. The Company did not consider this unrealized loss to be other-than-temporary and, subsequent to year-end, the fair market value of the one equity security exceeded the cost basis.

During the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, marketable equity available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $73.4 million, $28.2 million, and $46.7 million, respectively, were sold. For the same years, the gross realized gains on such sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $65.5 million, $19.8 million, and $27.0 million, respectively.

The investments in the limited partnerships carried at cost were approximately $12.4 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006. The estimated fair value of the limited partnerships was $22.3 million and $14.5 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The estimated fair value exceeded the cost of investments at September 30, 2007 and 2006 and, as such, the investments were not impaired.

The assets held in a Non-qualified Supplemental Savings Plan are valued at fair market which totaled $7.8 million and $5.9 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments.

At September 30, 2006, the Company's short-term investments consisted primarily of auction rate securities which were classified as available-for-sale. All of the auction rate securities were U.S. state and local municipal securities due within one year and reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The interest or dividend rates on the Company's auction rate securities were generally reset every 7 to 49 days through an auction process, thus limiting the Company's exposure to interest rate risk. Interest and dividends were paid on these securities at the end of each reset period and included in interest and dividend income on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company sold all of the auction rate securities, $48.3 million, during the year ended September 30, 2007, with no realized gains or losses. There were no unrealized gains or losses for 2007 or 2006.

The carrying value of other assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities approximated fair value at September 30, 2007 and 2006.

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NOTE 8 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The components of other comprehensive income for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
Unrealized appreciation on securities net of tax of
    $23,076, $18,331 and $9,343
  $ 37,654   $ 29,909   $ 15,245  
Reclassification of realized gains in net income net of
    tax of $24,874, $7,548 and $328
    (40,584 )   (12,318 )   (537 )
Minimum pension liability adjustments net of tax of
    $5,621, $2,765 and ($2,094)
    9,170     4,510     (3,416 )
   
 
 
 
    $ 6,240   $ 22,101   $ 11,292  
   
 
 
 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2007 and 2006, net of applicable tax effects, were as follows (in thousands):

September 30,

  2007

  2006

 
Unrealized appreciation on securities   $ 72,941   $ 75,871  
Minimum pension liability         (6,226 )
Unrecognized actuarial gain and prior service cost     2,944      
   
 
 
    $ 75,885   $ 69,645  
   
 
 

NOTE 9 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company maintains a noncontributory defined pension plan for substantially all U.S. employees who meet certain age and service requirements. In July 2003, the Company revised the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan ("Pension Plan") to close the Pension Plan to new participants effective October 1, 2003, and reduce benefit accruals for current participants through September 30, 2006, at which time benefit accruals were discontinued and the Pension Plan was frozen.

On September 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 158 "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans" ("SFAS 158"). SFAS No. 158 is an amendment of SFAS Nos. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) and is intended to improve financial reporting of pension and postretirement benefit plans. This statement requires employers to a) recognize the funded status of a benefit plan, determined as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in the statement of financial position, b) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, c) measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer's fiscal year-end, which the Company has used historically, and d) include additional disclosures in the notes to the financial statements about effects on net periodic benefit cost that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the pension benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the two-year period ended September 30, 2007 and a statement of the funded status as of September 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 
  2007

  2006

 
Accumulated Benefit Obligation ("ABO")   $ 78,247   $ 87,669  
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations ("PBO")              
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year   $ 87,669   $ 90,217  
  Service cost         4,713  
  Interest cost     4,865     4,841  
  Actuarial gain     (9,980 )   (5,903 )
  Benefits paid     (4,307 )   (6,199 )
   
 
 
Projected benefit obligation at end of year   $ 78,247   $ 87,669  
   
 
 
Change in plan assets              
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year   $ 66,752   $ 62,955  
  Actual return on plan assets     9,782     5,575  
  Employer contribution     2,650     4,421  
  Benefits paid     (4,307 )   (6,199 )
   
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year   $ 74,877   $ 66,752  
   
 
 
Funded status of the plan   $ (3,370 ) $ (20,917 )
  Unrecognized net actuarial loss     *     10,028  
  Unrecognized prior service cost     *     1  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss (before tax)         (10,042 )
   
 
 
  Accrued benefit cost   $ (3,370 ) $ (20,930 )
   
 
 

*Not applicable due to adoption of new accounting standard

September 30,

  2007

  2006

 
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):              
  Current pension liability   $ (35 ) $  
  Noncurrent pension liability     (3,335 )   (20,930 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income – minimum pension liability
    (pre-tax)
        10,042  
   
 
 
  Net amount recognized   $ (3,370 ) $ (10,888 )
   
 
 
The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2007, and not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost, are as follows (in thousands):              
Net actuarial gain   $ (4,749 )      
Prior service cost     1        
   
       
Total   $ (4,748 )      
   
       

The amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and not yet reflected in periodic benefit cost expected to be amortized in next year's periodic benefit cost is a net actuarial gain of $12,953.

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The weighted average assumptions used for the pension calculations were as follows:

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs           5.75%           5.75%           5.50%
Discount rate for year-end obligations           6.25%           5.75%           5.75%
Expected return on plan assets           8.00%           8.00%           8.00%
Rate of compensation increase           —%           5.00%           5.00%

The Company does not anticipate that funding the Pension Plan in fiscal 2008 will be required. However, the Company can choose to make discretionary contributions to fund distributions in lieu of liquidating pension assets. During 2007, the Company elected to fund $2.7 million. The Company estimates contributing at least $3.0 million in fiscal 2008. Subsequent to year end, the Company has contributed $1.5 million to the Pension Plan.

Components of the net periodic benefit cost (benefit) were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
Service cost   $   $ 4,713   $ 3,480  
Interest cost     4,865     4,841     4,617  
Expected return on plan assets     (5,123 )   (4,936 )   (4,378 )
Amortization of prior service cost         (1 )    
Recognized net actuarial loss     139     876     987  
   
 
 
 
Net pension (income) expense   $ (119 ) $ 5,493   $ 4,706  
   
 
 
 

The Pension Plan was frozen and benefit accruals were discontinued effective September 30, 2006, thus reducing the service cost of the Plan.

The following table reflects the expected benefits to be paid from the Pension Plan in each of the next five fiscal years, and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter (in thousands).

Years Ended September 30,

2008

  2009

  2010

  2011

  2012

  2013-2017

  Total

$ 3,080   $ 3,303   $ 3,471   $ 3,573   $ 4,062   $23,515   $ 41,004

Included in the Pension Plan is an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND ASSET ALLOCATION

The Company's investment policy and strategies are established with a long-term view in mind. The investment strategy is intended to help pay the cost of the Plan while providing adequate security to meet the benefits promised under the Plan. The Company maintains a diversified asset mix to minimize the risk of a material loss to the portfolio value that might occur from devaluation of any one investment. In determining the appropriate asset mix, the Company's financial strength and ability to fund potential shortfalls are considered.

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The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the Plans' investment portfolio after analyzing historical experience and future expectations of the return and volatility of various asset classes.

The target allocation for 2008 and the asset allocation for the domestic Pension Plan at the end of fiscal 2007 and 2006, by asset category, follows:

 
  Target Allocation
  Percentage of Plan Assets
At September 30,

 
Asset Category

  2008
  2007
  2006
 
U.S. equities   56 % 61 % 60 %
International equities   14   18   17  
Fixed income   25   20   22  
Real estate and other   5   1   1  
   
 
 
 
  Total   100 % 100 % 100 %
   
 
 
 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

Substantially all employees on the United States payroll of the Company may elect to participate in the Company sponsored 401(k)/Thrift Plan by contributing a portion of their earnings. The Company contributes amounts equal to 100 percent of the first 5 percent of the participant's compensation subject to certain limitations. Expensed Company contributions were $10.9 million, $8.4 million, and $6.1 million in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

FOREIGN PLAN

The Company maintains an unfunded pension plan in one of the international subsidiaries. Pension expense was approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The pension liability at September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $4.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

NOTE 10 SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

The following reflects the activity in the Company's reserve for bad debt for 2007, 2006 and 2005:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
      (in thousands)  
Reserve for bad debt:                    
  Balance at October 1,   $ 2,007   $ 1,791   $ 1,265  
  Provision for bad debt     1,030     250     530  
  Write-off of bad debt     (80 )   (34 )   (4 )
   
 
 
 
  Balance at September 30,   $ 2,957   $ 2,007   $ 1,791  
   
 
 
 

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Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, and accrued liabilities at September 30 consist of the following:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

      (in thousands)
Accounts receivable, net of reserve:            
  Trade receivables   $ 337,829   $ 283,386
  Insurance receivable     1,990    
  Investment sales receivables         6,093
   
 
    $ 339,819   $ 289,479
   
 
             

Prepaid expenses and other:            
  Prepaid value added tax   $ 4,914   $ 2,597
  Restricted cash     6,203     2,273
  Prepaid insurance     4,685     2,432
  Deferred mobilization     6,202     2,907
  Other     6,870     5,910
   
 
    $ 28,874   $ 16,119
   
 
             

Accrued liabilities:            
  Taxes payable – operations   $ 31,610   $ 21,316
  Accrued income taxes     10,033     24,991
  Worker's compensation liabilities     2,406     2,371
  Payroll and employee benefits     36,010     30,124
  Accrued operating costs     5,185     7,200
  Other     16,812     11,075
   
 
    $ 102,056   $ 97,077
   
 

NOTE 11 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

      (in thousands)
Cash payments:                  
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized   $ 9,713   $ 6,644   $ 12,707
Income taxes paid   $ 181,591   $ 109,857   $ 29,715

Capital expenditures on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005, does not include additions which have been incurred but not paid for as of the end of the

67



year. The following table reconciles total capital expenditures incurred to total capital expenditures in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
      (in thousands)  
Capital expenditures incurred   $ 825,448   $ 614,274   $ 95,007  
Additions incurred prior year but paid for in current
    year
    95,720     10,351     2,149  
Additions incurred but not paid for as of the end of
    the year
    (26,954 )   (95,720 )   (10,351 )
   
 
 
 
Capital expenditures per Consolidated Statements of
    Cash Flows
  $ 894,214   $ 528,905   $ 86,805  
   
 
 
 

NOTE 12 RISK FACTORS

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of temporary cash investments, short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company places temporary cash investments with established financial institutions and invests in a diversified portfolio of highly rated, short-term money market instruments. The Company's trade receivables, primarily with established companies in the oil and gas industry, may impact credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions. International sales also present various risks including governmental activities that may limit or disrupt markets and restrict the movement of funds. Most of the Company's international sales, however, are to large international or national companies. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers and does not typically require collateral in support for trade receivables. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts, when necessary, to cover estimated credit losses. Such an allowance is based on management's knowledge of customer accounts. No significant credit losses have been experienced by the Company in recent history.

SELF-INSURANCE

The Company self-insures a significant portion of its expected losses under its worker's compensation, general, and automobile liability programs. Insurance coverage has been purchased for individual claims that exceed $1 million or $2 million, depending on whether a claim occurs inside or outside of the United States. The Company maintains certain other insurance coverage with deductibles as high as $5 million. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce the Company's exposure to catastrophic events. The Company records estimates for incurred outstanding liabilities for worker's compensation, general liability claims and for claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on historic experience and statistical methods that the Company believes are reliable. 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.

In 2005 the Company formed a wholly-owned captive insurance company, White Eagle Assurance Company (White Eagle), to provide a portion of the Company's property damage insurance for company-owned drilling rigs. Insurance coverage for "named storms" in the Gulf of Mexico has been limited for the past two years. The Company purchased an aggregate limit of $75 million of wind storm coverage and elected to self-insure

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20 percent of that limit through White Eagle. Additionally, the wind storm coverage has a $2.5 million deductible. Additionally, the Company obtained rig property insurance for 80 percent of the aggregate estimated replacement cost of its rigs in excess of a $1 million deductible. The Company self-insured the remaining 20 percent of such rig value as well as the deductible. The Company also utilized White Eagle to finance self-insured losses within the $1 million per occurrence deductible under worker's compensation, general, and automobile liability insurance policies for its international operations. Premiums paid to White Eagle by the drilling segments have been included in the drilling segment expenses but eliminated, along with the premium earned income, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

CONTRACT DRILLING OPERATIONS

International drilling operations are a significant contributor to the Company's revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of the Company's international 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, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, and the burden of complying with foreign laws.

The Company is exposed to risks of currency devaluation in Venezuela primarily as a result of bolivar receivable balances and bolivar cash balances. In Venezuela, approximately 60 percent of the Company's billings to the Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA, are in U.S. dollars and 40 percent are in the local currency, the bolivar. In January 2003, the Venezuelan government put into effect exchange controls that fixed the exchange rate at 1600 bolivares to one U.S. dollar and also prohibited the Company, as well as other companies, from converting the bolivar into U.S. dollars. On October 1, 2003, in compliance with applicable regulations, the Company submitted a request to the Venezuelan government seeking permission to convert existing bolivar balances into U.S. dollars. In January 2004, the Venezuelan government approved the conversion of bolivar cash balances to U.S. dollars and the remittance of those U.S. dollars as dividends by the Company's Venezuelan subsidiary to the U.S. based parent. The Company was able to remit $8.8 million of such dividends in January 2004. This was the first dividend remitted under the new regulation. On January 16, 2006, a dividend of $6.5 million was paid to the U.S. based parent. On August 18, 2006, the Company applied for a $9.3 million dividend. The Venezuelan government subsequently approved $7.2 million of this dividend and on March 6, 2007, the $7.2 million was paid to the U.S. based parent. These dividends reduced the Company's exposure to currency devaluation in Venezuela.

On June 7, 2007, the Company began the process to make application with the Venezuelan government requesting the approval to convert bolivar cash balances to U.S. dollars. Upon approval from the Venezuelan government, the Company's Venezuelan subsidiary will remit those dollars as a dividend to its U.S. based parent, thus reducing the Company's exposure to currency devaluation. The Company anticipates the dividend to be approximately $8.3 million.

As stated above, the Company is exposed to risks of currency devaluation in Venezuela primarily as a result of bolivar receivable balances and bolivar cash balances. The exchange rate was 2150 bolivares at September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005. As a result of the 12 percent devaluation of the bolivar during fiscal

69



2005 (from September 2004 through August 2005), the Company experienced total devaluation losses of $.6 million during that same period. Even though Venezuela continues to operate under the exchange controls in place and the Venezuelan bolivar exchange rate has remained fixed at 2150 bolivares to one U.S. dollar since the devaluation in March, 2005, the exact amount and timing of devaluation is uncertain. At September 30, 2007, the Company had a $25.6 million cash balance denominated in bolivares exposed to the risk of currency devaluation. While the Company is unable to predict future devaluation in Venezuela, if fiscal 2008 activity levels are similar to fiscal 2007 and if a 10 percent to 20 percent devaluation would occur, the Company could experience potential currency devaluation losses ranging from approximately $3.5 million to $6.4 million.

The Company has an agreement with the Venezuelan state petroleum company whereby a portion of the Company's dollar-based invoices are paid in U.S. dollars. Were this agreement to end, the Company would revert to receiving these payments in bolivares and thus increase bolivar cash balances and exposure to devaluation.

Venezuela continues to experience significant political, economic and social instability. In the event that extended labor strikes occur or turmoil increases, the Company could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some or all of its Venezuelan drilling rigs, thereby causing an adverse effect on the Company. The Company derives its revenue in Venezuela from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company. At September 30, 2007, the Company had a net receivable from PDVSA of $49.7 million of which $12.0 million was 90 days old or older. At November 1, 2007, such receivable balance had increased to approximately $50.3 million, of which approximately $14.4 million was 90 days old or older. The Company continues to communicate with PDVSA regarding the settlement of the outstanding receivables. While the collection of the receivables is difficult and time consuming due to PDVSA policies and procedures, the Company, at this time, has no reason to believe the amounts will not be paid. Historically, PDVSA payments on accounts receivable have, by traditional business measurements, been slower than that of other customers in international countries in which the Company has drilling operations.

The Ecuadorian government continues to negotiate with the Company's customers to resolve contract disputes created by a recent government decree. The decree modified the original contracts for splitting profits on oil production. If this continues without resolution, the Company anticipates that up to seven rigs could be idle in Ecuador in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Should this situation occur, the Company, at this time, is unable to predict the length of time that the rigs would remain idle.

NOTE 13 ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

In August 2006, the Company signed an option agreement to sell two offshore rigs. The net book value of the two rigs at September 30, 2006 was approximately $4.2 million and was classified as "Assets held for sale" in the Company's September 30, 2006 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The purchase option was exercised in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and the Company recorded a gain which is included in "Income from asset sales" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended September 30, 2007.

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NOTE 14 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS

Since March 2005, the Company has entered into separate drilling contracts with 19 exploration and production customers to build and operate a total of 77 new FlexRigs. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company announced that an agreement had been reached with an exploration and production company to operate an additional six new FlexRigs, bringing the total of the new rigs to 83. The construction of the 83 rigs is estimated to cost $1.3 billion. Approximately $0.7 billion was incurred in fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.4 billion was incurred in fiscal 2006. The construction began in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and is estimated to continue through the third quarter of fiscal 2008. During construction, rig construction cost is recorded in construction in progress and then transferred to contract drilling equipment when the rig is placed in the field for service. Equipment, parts and supplies are ordered in advance to promote efficient construction progress. At September 30, 2007, the Company had commitments outstanding of approximately $82.7 million for the purchase of drilling equipment.

LEASES

In May 2003, the Company signed a six-year lease for approximately 114,000 square feet of office space near downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The lease agreement contains rent escalation clauses, which have been included in the future minimum lease payments below, and a renewal option. Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease were capitalized and are being amortized over the initial lease term. The Company also conducts certain operations in leased premises and leases telecommunication equipment. Future minimum lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year

  Amount

       
2008   $ 3,982
2009     2,958
2010     1,214
2011    
Thereafter    

  Total   $ 8,154

Total rent expense was $3.7 million, $3.1 million and $2.3 million for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

CONTINGENCIES

In August 2007, the Company experienced a fire on U.S. Land Rig 178, a 1,500 horsepower FlexRig2, when the well it was drilling had a blowout. There were no significant personal injuries although the drilling rig was lost. The rig was insured at a value that approximated replacement cost. At September 30, 2007, the net book value of the rig was removed from property, plant and equipment and a receivable from insurance was recorded, net of a $1.0 million insurance deductible expensed. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, gross insurance proceeds of approximately $8.5 million were received and a gain of approximately $4.8 million was

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recorded. The Company anticipates settling the insurance claim before the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and expects to receive additional insurance proceeds of less than $0.5 million.

In August 2005, the Company's Rig 201, which operates on an operator's tension-leg platform in the Gulf of Mexico, lost its entire derrick and suffered significant damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Pre-tax cash flow from the platform rig was approximately $5.4 million in fiscal 2005. The rig was insured at a value that approximated replacement cost to cover the net book value and any additional losses. Capital costs incurred in conjunction with rebuilding the rig were capitalized in fiscal 2007 and are being depreciated as described in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Insurance proceeds of approximately $3.0 million were received in fiscal 2006. Such proceeds approximated the net book value of equipment lost in the hurricane and, therefore, no gain was recognized in fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2007, insurance proceeds of approximately $16.3 million were received and the Company recorded a gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets of approximately $16.7 million. The proceeds are in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under investing activities. Additional claims have been submitted and future proceeds will be recorded as gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets when received. The Company expects to settle this claim in fiscal 2008 and estimates additional proceeds to range from $5 million to $10 million.

Various legal actions, the majority of which arise in the ordinary course of business, are pending. The Company maintains insurance against certain business risks subject to certain deductibles. None of these legal actions are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

The Company is contingently liable to sureties in respect of bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain commitments entered into by the Company in the normal course of business. The Company has agreed to indemnify the sureties for any payments made by them in respect of such bonds.

NOTE 15 SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates principally in the contract drilling industry. The Company's contract drilling business includes the following reportable operating segments: U.S. Land, Offshore, and International Land. The contract drilling operations consist mainly of contracting Company-owned drilling equipment primarily to major oil and gas exploration companies. The Company's primary international areas of operation include Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and other South American countries. The International Land operations have similar services, have similar types of customers, operate in a consistent manner and have similar economic and regulatory characteristics. Therefore, the Company has aggregated its international operations into one reportable segment. The Company also has a Real Estate segment whose operations are conducted exclusively in the metropolitan area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The key areas of operation include a shopping center and several multi-tenant warehouses. Each reportable segment is a strategic business unit which is managed separately. Other includes investments and corporate operations. Consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions.

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The Company evaluates segment performance based on income or loss from operations (segment operating income) before income taxes which includes:

    revenues from external and internal customers
    direct operating costs
    depreciation and
    allocated general and administrative costs

but excludes corporate costs for other depreciation, income from asset sales and other corporate income and expense.

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 the Company believes to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided.

Segment operating income for all segments is a non-GAAP financial measure of the Company's performance, as it excludes general and administrative expenses, corporate depreciation, income from asset sales and other corporate income and expense. The Company considers segment operating income to be an important supplemental measure of operating performance for presenting trends in the Company's core businesses. This measure is used by the Company to facilitate period-to-period comparisons in operating performance of the Company's reportable segments in the aggregate by eliminating items that affect comparability between periods. The Company believes that segment operating income is useful to investors because it provides a means to evaluate the operating performance of the segments and the Company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our internal decision makers. Additionally, it highlights operating trends and aids analytical comparisons. However, segment operating income has limitations and should not be used as an alternative to operating income or loss, a performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP, as it excludes certain costs that may affect the Company's operating performance in future periods.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company began mobilizing an offshore rig from the U.S. to an international location. Because an offshore rig requires different technology and marketing strategies, the chief operating decision-maker's evaluation of performance and resource allocation for this rig is more appropriately aligned with the Offshore segment. Therefore the Company will continue to include the operations of this rig in the Offshore operating segment. In conjunction with this, the Company has determined that a management contract for a customer-owned platform rig located offshore in North Africa is more appropriately aligned with the Offshore segment for purposes of evaluating performance and resource allocation. Therefore, this management contract has been reclassed from the International segment to the Offshore segment in fiscal 2007. In conjuction with this, the International segment was renamed to International Land. Financial information for reportable segments for fiscal 2006 and 2005 has been restated to reflect this change.

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Summarized financial information of the Company's reportable segments for each of the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005 is shown in the following table:

(in thousands)

  External
Sales

  Inter-
Segment

  Total
Sales

  Segment
Operating
Income

  Depreciation

  Total
Assets

  Additions
to Long-Lived
Assets


2007                                          
Contract Drilling                                          
  U.S. Land   $ 1,174,956   $   $ 1,174,956   $ 467,000   $ 106,107   $ 2,073,015   $ 762,501
  Offshore     123,148         123,148     22,081     10,687     124,014     25,418
  International
    Land
    320,283         320,283     105,179     23,782     314,625     22,726

      1,618,387         1,618,387     594,260     140,576     2,511,654     810,645
Real Estate     11,271     828     12,099     5,007     2,456     30,351     1,510

      1,629,658     828     1,630,486     599,267     143,032     2,542,005     812,155
Other                     3,010     343,364     13,293
Eliminations         (828 )   (828 )              

  Total   $ 1,629,658   $   $ 1,629,658   $ 599,267   $ 146,042   $ 2,885,369   $ 825,448

2006                                          
Contract Drilling                                          
  U.S. Land   $ 829,062   $   $ 829,062   $ 351,255   $ 66,127   $ 1,356,817   $ 560,664
  Offshore     154,543         154,543     31,865     11,401     110,961     18,756
  International
    Land
    230,829         230,829     52,318     19,471     310,836     31,245

      1,214,434         1,214,434     435,438     96,999     1,778,614     610,665
Real Estate     10,379     783     11,162     4,411     2,444     30,626     1,275

      1,224,813     783     1,225,596     439,849     99,443     1,809,240     611,940
Other                     2,140     325,472     2,334
Eliminations         (783 )   (783 )              

  Total   $ 1,224,813   $   $ 1,224,813   $ 439,849   $ 101,583   $ 2,134,712   $ 614,274

2005                                          
Contract Drilling                                          
  U.S. Land   $ 527,637   $   $ 527,637   $ 164,657   $ 60,222   $ 809,403   $ 78,499
  Offshore     106,296         106,296     22,013     10,639     95,913     1,059
  International
    Land
    156,105         156,105     14,668     20,070     238,282     12,437

      790,038         790,038     201,338     90,931     1,143,598     91,995
Real Estate     10,688     761     11,449     4,714     2,352     32,203     1,517

      800,726     761     801,487     206,052     93,283     1,175,801     93,512
Other                     2,991     487,549     1,495
Eliminations         (761 )   (761 )              

  Total   $ 800,726   $   $ 800,726   $ 206,052   $ 96,274   $ 1,663,350   $ 95,007


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The following table reconciles segment operating income to income before taxes and equity in income of affiliate as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands).

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

 
Segment operating income   $ 599,267   $ 439,849   $ 206,052  
Income from asset sales     41,697     7,492     13,550  
Gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets     16,661          
Corporate general and administrative costs and
    corporate depreciation
    (25,306 )   (30,055 )   (26,846 )
   
 
  Operating income     632,319     417,286     192,756  
Other income (expense)                    
  Interest and dividend income     4,234     9,834     5,809  
  Interest expense     (10,126 )   (6,644 )   (12,642 )
  Gain on sale of investment securities     65,458     19,866     26,969  
  Other     (1,532 )   639     (235 )
   
 
    Total unallocated amounts     58,034     23,695     19,901  
   
 
Income before income taxes and equity in income of affiliate   $ 690,353   $ 440,981   $ 212,657  
   
 

The following table presents revenues from external customers and long-lived assets by country based on the location of service provided (in thousands).

Years Ended September 30,

  2007

  2006

  2005

Revenues                  
  United States   $     1,292,636   $ 972,021   $ 623,246
  Venezuela         127,278     84,594     66,824
  Ecuador         93,903     88,709     60,946
  Colombia         26,849     17,748     12,792
  Other Foreign         88,992     61,741     36,918
   
    Total   $     1,629,658   $ 1,224,813   $ 800,726
   
Long-Lived Assets                  
  United States   $     1,951,907   $ 1,284,235   $ 810,489
  Venezuela         83,804     83,160     84,461
  Ecuador         45,120     42,859     44,250
  Colombia         10,061     9,793     9,213
  Other Foreign         61,724     63,087     33,552
   
    Total   $     2,152,616   $ 1,483,134   $ 981,965
   

Long-lived assets are comprised of property, plant and equipment.

Revenues from one company doing business with the contract drilling segment accounted for approximately 10.8 percent, 11.2 percent, and 11.1 percent of the total operating revenues during the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The receivable from this customer was approximately $34.4 million and $29.1 million at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

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NOTE 16 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 15, 2007, the Company announced a three-year term contract had been reached with an exploration and production company to operate six new FlexRigs. With these contracts, the Company has now committed to build 83 new FlexRigs, of which 70 had been completed as of September 30, 2007.

NOTE 17 SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

2007

  1st Quarter

  2nd Quarter

  3rd Quarter

  4th Quarter

                         
Operating revenues   $ 386,399   $ 372,536   $ 421,274   $ 449,449
Operating income     146,654     164,284     154,672     166,709
Net income     110,786     106,861     115,204     116,410
Basic net income per common share     1.07     1.04     1.11     1.13
Diluted net income per common share     1.06     1.02     1.09     1.10

2006

  1st Quarter

  2nd Quarter

  3rd Quarter

  4th Quarter

                         
Operating revenues   $ 255,388   $ 290,830   $ 319,796   $ 358,799
Operating income     80,904     100,251     114,137     121,994
Net income     50,814     64,573     79,975     98,496
Basic net income per common share     .49     .62     .76     .94
Diluted net income per common share     .48     .61     .75     .93

The sum of earnings per share for the four quarters may not equal the total earnings per share for the year due to changes in the average number of common shares outstanding.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $16.2 million, $0.15 per share on a diluted basis.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, net income includes an after-tax gain from the sale of assets of $20.5 million, $0.20 per share on a diluted basis and an after-tax gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets of $3.3 million, $0.03 per share on a diluted basis.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $15.5 million, $0.15 per share on a diluted basis, an after-tax gain from the sale of assets of $3.9 million, $0.03 per share on a diluted basis, and an after-tax gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets of $3.7 million, $0.03 per share on a diluted basis.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $8.4 million, $0.08 per share on a diluted basis, an after-tax gain from the sale of assets of

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$1.9 million, $0.01 per share on a diluted basis, and an after-tax gain from involuntary conversion of long-lived assets of $3.6 million, $0.04 per share on a diluted basis.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $1.7 million, $0.02 per share on a diluted basis.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2006, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $5.8 million, $0.05 per share on a diluted basis.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, net income includes an after-tax gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $4.8 million, $0.05 per share on a diluted basis.

The fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 includes adjustments to deferred tax accounts in certain international locations resulting in an increase of $0.12 per share, on a diluted basis.

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Directors

 

Officers

 

 

W. H. Helmerich, III
Chairman of the Board
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hans Helmerich
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tulsa, Oklahoma

William L. Armstrong**(***)
President
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, Colorado

Glenn A. Cox*(***)
President and Chief Operating Officer, Retired
Phillips Petroleum Company
Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Randy A. Foutch*(***)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Paula Marshall**(***)
Chief Executive Officer
The Bama Companies, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Edward B. Rust, Jr.*(***)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Bloomington, Illinois

John D. Zeglis*(**)(***)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Retired
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
Basking Ridge, New Jersey

 

W. H. Helmerich, III
Chairman of the Board

Hans Helmerich
President and Chief Executive Officer

Douglas E. Fears
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steven R. Mackey
Vice President, Secretary, and General Counsel

John W. Lindsay
Executive Vice President,
U.S. and International Operations of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.

M. Alan Orr
Executive Vice President,
Engineering and Development of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.

 

Stockholders' Meeting
The annual meeting of stockholders will be held on March 5, 2008. A formal notice of the meeting, together with a proxy statement and form of proxy will be mailed to shareholders on or about January 25, 2008.

Stock Exchange Listing
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol "HP." The newspaper abbreviation most commonly used for financial reporting is "HelmP." Options on the Company's stock are also traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar
As of November 21, 2007, there were 703 record holders of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. common stock as listed by the transfer agent's records.

Our Transfer Agent is responsible for our shareholder records, issuance of stock certificates, and distribution of our dividends and the IRS Form 1099. Your requests, as shareholders, concerning these matters are most efficiently answered by corresponding directly with The Transfer Agent at the following address:

    Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
    Investor Services
    P.O. Box 43078
    Providence, RI 02940-3078
    Telephone: (800) 884-4225
                        (781) 575-4706

Available Information
Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, earnings releases, and financial statements are made available on the investor relations section of the Company's website. Also located on the investor relations section of the Company's website are certain corporate governance documents, including the following: the charters of the committees of the Board of Directors; the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; the Code of Ethics for Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers; the Related Person Transaction Policy; certain Audit Committee Practices and a description of the means by which employees and other interested persons may communicate certain concerns to the Company's Board of Directors, including the communication of such concerns confidentially and anonymously via the Company's ethics hotline at 1-800-205-4913. Quarterly reports, earnings releases, financial statements and the various corporate governance documents are also available free of charge upon written request.
* Member, Audit Committee
** Member, Human Resources Committee
*** Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
    
Annual CEO Certification
The annual CEO Certification required by Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual was provided to the New York Stock Exchange on or about March 29, 2007.

Direct Inquiries To:
Investor Relations
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
1437 South Boulder Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
Telephone: (918) 742-5531

Internet Address: http://www.hpinc.com

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