8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 7, 2004

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation) 0-22664
(Commission File Number) 75-2504748
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (325) 574-6300

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.
	Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Press Release dated June 7, 2004

Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On June 7, 2004, Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized a stock buyback program for the purchase of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warrant, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release, dated June 7, 2004, relating to the stock buyback program.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
Dated: June 7, 2004	By:	/s/ Cloyce A. Talbott
		Cloyce A. Talbott
		Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated June 7, 2004, relating to the stock buyback program.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release Contact:   John E. Vollmer III
SVP-Corporate Development
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
(214) 360-7800

Patterson-UTI Energy Announces Stock Buyback Program

     SNYDER, Texas — June 7, 2004 — PATTERSON-UTI ENERGY, INC. (Nasdaq: PTEN), the second-largest operator of land-based oil and natural gas drilling rigs in North America, today announced that the Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program for the purchase of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time as, in the opinion of management, market conditions warrant, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

About Patterson-UTI

     Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. provides onshore contract drilling services to exploration and production companies in North America. The Company owns 361 land-based drilling rigs that operate primarily in the oil and natural gas producing regions of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and western Canada. Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. is also engaged in the businesses of pressure pumping services and drilling and completion fluid services. Additionally, the Company has an exploration and production business that is based in Texas.

Statements made in this press release which state the Company’s or management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, declines in oil and natural gas prices that could adversely affect demand for the Company’s services, and their associated effect on day rates, rig utilization and planned capital expenditures, adverse industry conditions, difficulty in integrating acquisitions, demand for oil and natural gas, and ability to retain management and field personnel. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.