CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
REVENUES:
Contract drilling	$ 149,863	$ 294,615
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses	7,693	13,204
Total revenues	157,556	307,819
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Contract drilling	65,670	130,652
Reimbursable expenses	6,602	8,286
Depreciation	41,808	42,827
General and administrative	15,190	15,177
Asset impairment	0	64,724
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(67)	77
Costs and Expenses	129,203	261,743
OPERATING INCOME	28,353	46,076
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(16,291)	(13,761)
Interest income	2	4
Other income	0	17,976
Other income (expense) total	(16,289)	4,219
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	12,064	50,295
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	2,393	11,214
NET INCOME	$ 9,671	$ 39,081
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE 2):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.60
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 2):
Basic (in shares)	64,879	64,765
Diluted (in shares)	65,171	64,921