COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 hp sqft Rig	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 14, 2013 Subsequent Event Rig	Nov. 27, 2013 Subsequent Event	Nov. 27, 2013 Subsequent Event Rig
Purchase obligations
Number of new FlexRigs to build and operate (in rigs)	5					13
Number of new FlexRigs under construction (in rigs)				9
Number of new AC drive rigs under construction (in rigs)				1
Monetary penalty paid					$ 5,400,000
Organizational community service payment					1,000,000
Number of AC drive rigs to build and operate (in rigs)	1
Number of horsepower in AC drive to build and operate (in rigs)	3,000
Purchase orders outstanding for drilling equipment	79,600,000
LEASES
Area of leased office space (in square feet)	176,000
Fiscal Year
2014	5,443,000
2015	3,536,000
2016	2,807,000
2017	2,720,000
2018	2,726,000
Thereafter	15,456,000
Total	32,688,000
Total rent expense	9,900,000	8,500,000	5,800,000
CONTINGENCIES
Gain contingencies recognized in consolidated financial statements	0
Proceeds from settlement of arbitration disputes with third parties not affiliated with the Venezuelan government, Petroleo or PDVSA related to seizure of property in Venezuela	$ 15,000,000	$ 7,500,000