SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reserve for bad debt:
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 942	$ 776	$ 830
Provision for bad debt	3,875	205	106
Write-off of bad debt	(22)	(39)	(160)
Balance at the end of the period	4,795	942	776
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Restricted cash	23,691	28,989
Prepaid insurance	14,250	15,522
Deferred mobilization	11,395	19,809
Income tax asset	9,322
Prepaid value added tax	5,004	1,470
Other	16,276	8,903
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	79,938	74,693
Accrued liabilities:
Accrued operating costs	30,169	37,645
Payroll and employee benefits	71,658	52,187
Taxes payable, other than income tax	38,328	35,842
Accrued income taxes		1,325
Deferred mobilization	12,235	13,351
Self-insurance liabilities	7,028	5,611
Deferred income	11,663	11,280
Other	18,603	19,374
Total accrued liabilities	189,684	176,615
Noncurrent liabilities - Other:
Pension and other non-qualified retirement plans	23,404	40,142
Self-insurance liabilities	12,207	12,385
Deferred mobilization	8,067	19,364
Deferred income	1,781	6,766
Uncertain tax positions including interest and penalties	12,844	12,184
Other	7,048	7,552
Total noncurrent liabilities - other	$ 65,351	$ 98,393