COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 sqft item	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2014 Subsequent Event item
Purchase obligations
Number of new FlexRigs to build and operate (in rigs)	83			6
Number of new FlexRigs under construction (in rigs)				41
Purchase orders outstanding for drilling equipment	$ 412,900,000
LEASES
Area of leased office space (in square feet)	204,000
Fiscal Year
2015	7,658,000
2016	5,165,000
2017	4,489,000
2018	3,220,000
2019	3,213,000
Thereafter	14,731,000
Total	38,476,000
Total rent expense	12,100,000	9,900,000	8,500,000
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