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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

Our consolidated effective income tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was approximately 12%, compared to 13% for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was lower than the rate for the three months ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to a change in the geographical mix of our operations as well as the beneficial impact of discrete tax benefits recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2013. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35% as a result of working in certain lower tax jurisdictions outside the United States. We record estimated accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. At December 31, 2013, we had approximately $8.6 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions, including estimated accrued interest and penalties of $2.8 million, which are included in Other Long Term Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. None of our reserves for uncertain tax positions relate to timing differences. All $8.6 million of the net uncertain tax liabilities would affect the effective tax rate if realized.

Our United States tax returns for fiscal year 2010 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. As we conduct business globally, we have various tax years that remain open to examination in certain international tax jurisdictions, including tax returns in Australia for fiscal years 2008 through 2013 and tax returns in Equatorial Guinea for calendar years 2010 through 2013. Although we cannot predict the outcome of ongoing or future tax examinations, we do not anticipate that the ultimate resolution of these examinations will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.