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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 uLZ7TPcZ3JwdQw+eSodLXw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-031410.txt : 20050611
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-031410.hdr.sgml : 20050611
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050527170248
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-031410
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050526
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050527
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050527

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000886835
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL, GAS FIELD SERVICES, NBC [1389]
		IRS NUMBER:				752379388
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1105 PETERS ROAD
		CITY:			HARVEY
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70058
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5043624321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1105 PETERS ROAD
		CITY:			HARVEY
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70058

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SMALLS OILFIELD SERVICES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SULLIVAN JUSTIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001229167
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OIL, GAS FIELD SERVICES, NBC [1389]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-22603
		FILM NUMBER:		05864713

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		201 ST CHARLES AVE
		CITY:			NEW ORLEANS
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70170 5100
		BUSINESS PHONE:		504 362 4321
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd78531.xml
<DESCRIPTION>JUSTIN SULLIVAN FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000886835</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SPN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001229167</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SULLIVAN JUSTIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1105 PETERS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARVEY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>LA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>70058</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-05-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1946</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1946</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5207</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each restricted stock unit represents a right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The restricted stock units vest immediately upon grant, but the shares of common stock payable upon vesting will not be delivered to the reporting person until he ceases to serve on the board of directors of the Issuer.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William B. Masters, on behalf of Justin L. Sullivan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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