SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Equity Offering On January 13, 2017, we issued, in a public offering, 15,525,000 shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the offering, before deducting estimated offering expenses, were approximately $181.1 million. We expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings under the Credit Facility, the funding of future purchases of our Senior Notes, working capital and capital expenditures, and otherwise to enhance our liquidity. Drilling Contract Amendments In January 2017, the client for the Atwood Achiever exercised its option provided as part of the “blend and extend” agreement we entered into in October 2015 to revert the contract to the original operating day rate and original end date. Exercise of this option will result in a one-time payment to us of $48.1 million that includes the difference in day rates, taxes, and administrative fees covering the time periods for which the reduced day rate was previously invoiced. Effective February 1, 2017 and continuing until the contract end date of approximately November 12, 2017, the operating day rate is $595,000. In February 2017, we amended our drilling services contract with Woodside Energy Ltd (“Woodside”) to substitute the Atwood Condor for the Atwood Osprey for the Greater Enfield campaign. The contract is expected to commence between December 2017 and March 2018 at an operating rate of $222,295 per day for approximately 550 days. Depending on the commencement of the contract, Woodside will reimburse us for the mobilization of the Atwood Condor to Australia in an amount of either $34.5 million or $36.5 million. In addition, we entered into a new agreement with Woodside to utilize the Atwood Osprey for an additional exploration well with an estimated duration of approximately 100 days. The contract for the exploration well is expected to commence between March 2018 and May 2018 at an operating rate of $190,000 per day with a priced option for an additional well. We will receive a mobilization fee of $1.0 million if the option is exercised and a payment of $2.0 million if the option is not exercised.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Equity Offering

On January 13, 2017, we issued, in a public offering, 15,525,000 shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the offering, before deducting estimated offering expenses, were approximately $181.1 million. We expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of borrowings under the Credit Facility, the funding of future purchases of our Senior Notes, working capital and capital expenditures, and otherwise to enhance our liquidity.

Drilling Contract Amendments

In January 2017, the client for the Atwood Achiever exercised its option provided as part of the “blend and extend” agreement we entered into in October 2015 to revert the contract to the original operating day rate and original end date. Exercise of this option will result in a one-time payment to us of $48.1 million that includes the difference in day rates, taxes, and administrative fees covering the time periods for which the reduced day rate was previously invoiced. Effective February 1, 2017 and continuing until the contract end date of approximately November 12, 2017, the operating day rate is $595,000.

In February 2017, we amended our drilling services contract with Woodside Energy Ltd (“Woodside”) to substitute the Atwood Condor for the Atwood Osprey for the Greater Enfield campaign. The contract is expected to commence between December 2017 and March 2018 at an operating rate of $222,295 per day for approximately 550 days. Depending on the commencement of the contract, Woodside will reimburse us for the mobilization of the Atwood Condor to Australia in an amount of either $34.5 million or $36.5 million. In addition, we entered into a new agreement with Woodside to utilize the Atwood Osprey for an additional exploration well with an estimated duration of approximately 100 days. The contract for the exploration well is expected to commence between March 2018 and May 2018 at an operating rate of $190,000 per day with a priced option for an additional well. We will receive a mobilization fee of $1.0 million if the option is exercised and a payment of $2.0 million if the option is not exercised.