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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-10-057789.txt : 20101202
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-10-057789.hdr.sgml : 20101202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101202120405
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-10-057789
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUST EDWARD B JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001196159

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04221
		FILM NUMBER:		101226902

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
		STREET 2:		1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10020

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HELMERICH & PAYNE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000046765
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS [1381]
		IRS NUMBER:				730679879
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		UTICA AT 21ST ST
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9187425531

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		UTICA AT 21ST ST
		CITY:			TULSA
		STATE:			OK
		ZIP:			74114
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-12-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000046765</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HELMERICH &amp; PAYNE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001196159</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUST EDWARD B JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1437 S. BOULDER AVE.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TULSA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OK</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>74119-3623</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8.1326</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>46.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8.1326</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6293.306</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Phantom shares relate to the Helmerich &amp; Payne, Inc. Director Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">1-for-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The shares of phantom stock become payable, in cash only, at the election of the reporting person either (1) in a lump sump payable no later than 60 days following the termination of the reporting person's service as a director or (2) in annual installments for a period of 'x' years (not to exceed 10).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jonathan M. Cinocca, by Power of Attorney for Edward B. Rust</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-12-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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