Helmerich & Payne (HP) 10-Q 4 May 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-4221
Entity Registrant Name	HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	73-0679879
Entity Address, Address Line One	1437 South Boulder Avenue, Suite 1400
Entity Address, City or Town	Tulsa
Entity Address, State or Province	OK
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	74119
City Area Code	918
Local Phone Number	742-5531
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
Trading Symbol	HP
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		107,418,296
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Central Index Key	0000046765

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 336,089	$ 347,943
Short-term investments	45,655	52,960
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,108 and $9,927, respectively	531,556	495,602
Inventories of materials and supplies, net	112,474	149,653
Prepaid expenses and other	94,342	68,928
Total current assets	1,120,116	1,115,086
Investments	20,300	31,991
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,840,213	4,502,084
Other Noncurrent Assets:
Goodwill	45,653	82,786
Intangible assets, net	84,533	86,716
Operating lease right-of-use asset	48,730	0
Other assets	17,209	20,852
Total other noncurrent assets	196,125	190,354
Total assets	5,176,754	5,839,515
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	144,794	123,146
Accrued liabilities	232,625	287,092
Total current liabilities	377,419	410,238
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt, net	479,811	479,356
Deferred income taxes	700,360	806,611
Other	142,664	115,746
Noncurrent liabilities - discontinued operations	15,494	15,341
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,338,329	1,417,054
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized,112,151,563 and 112,080,262 shares issued as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively, and 107,418,296 and 108,437,904 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively	11,215	11,208
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	509,928	510,305
Retained earnings	3,168,966	3,714,307
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(27,603)	(28,635)
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,733,267 shares and 3,642,358 shares as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively	(201,500)	(194,962)
Total shareholders’ equity	3,461,006	4,012,223
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 5,176,754	$ 5,839,515

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Current Assets:
Allowance for accounts receivable	$ 3,108	$ 9,927
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized,112,151,563 and 112,080,262 shares issued as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively, and 107,418,296 and 108,437,904 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	112,151,563	112,080,262
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	107,418,296	108,437,904
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Preferred stock, no par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,733,267 shares and 3,642,358 shares as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	4,733,267	3,642,358

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Operating revenues
Contract drilling services	$ 630,290	$ 717,653	$ 1,241,688	$ 1,455,011
Other	3,349	3,215	6,608	6,455
Total operating revenues	633,639	720,868	1,248,296	1,461,466
Operating costs and expenses
Contract drilling services operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	417,743	441,719	817,072	929,312
Other operating expenses	1,315	1,620	2,737	2,894
Depreciation and amortization	132,006	143,161	262,137	284,620
Research and development	6,214	7,262	13,092	14,281
Selling, general and administrative	41,978	43,506	91,786	98,014
Asset impairment charge	563,234	0	563,234	0
Gain on sale of assets	(10,310)	(11,546)	(14,589)	(17,090)
Total operating costs and expenses	1,152,180	625,722	1,735,469	1,312,031
Operating income from continuing operations	(518,541)	95,146	(487,173)	149,435
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	3,566	2,061	5,780	4,512
Interest expense	(6,095)	(6,167)	(12,195)	(10,888)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	(12,413)	5,878	(9,592)	(36,957)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	0	14,963	0
Other	(398)	17	(797)	548
Total other income (expense)	(15,340)	1,789	(1,841)	(42,785)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(533,881)	96,935	(489,014)	106,650
Income tax provision (benefit)	(113,413)	25,078	(99,275)	26,429
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(420,468)	71,857	(389,739)	80,221
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	6,067	2,889	13,524	15,554
Income tax provision	6,139	13,855	13,720	15,925
Loss from discontinued operations	(72)	(10,966)	(196)	(371)
Net income (loss)	$ (420,540)	$ 60,891	$ (389,935)	$ 79,850
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.88)	$ 0.65	$ (3.61)	$ 0.72
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.10)	0	0
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	(3.88)	0.55	(3.61)	0.72
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(3.88)	0.65	(3.61)	0.72
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	(0.10)	0	0
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (3.88)	$ 0.55	$ (3.61)	$ 0.72
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	108,557	109,406	108,556	109,273
Diluted (in shares)	108,557	109,503	108,556	109,452

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (420,540)	$ 60,891	$ (389,935)	$ 79,850
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes of ($0.2) million and ($0.3) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, and ($0.1) million and ($0.1) million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively	516	224	1,032	449
Other comprehensive income	516	224	1,032	449
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (420,024)	$ 61,115	$ (388,903)	$ 80,299

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Income tax on minimum pension liability adjustments	$ (0.2)	$ (0.3)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.1)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		112,009,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018						3,015,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 4,382,735	$ 11,201	$ 500,393	$ 4,027,779	$ 16,550	$ (173,188)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	18,959			18,959
Other comprehensive income	225				225
Dividends declared	(78,488)			(78,488)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						(125,000)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	224		(6,756)			$ 6,980
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		71,000				(215,000)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(4,537)	$ 7	(16,673)			$ 12,129
Stock-based compensation	7,158		7,158
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018						2,675,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	4,326,238	$ 11,208	484,122	3,997,283	(12,296)	$ (154,079)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		112,009,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018						3,015,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	4,382,735	$ 11,201	500,393	4,027,779	16,550	$ (173,188)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	79,850
Other comprehensive income	449
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019						2,668,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	4,318,620	$ 11,208	493,421	3,979,708	(12,072)	$ (153,645)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018						2,675,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	4,326,238	$ 11,208	484,122	3,997,283	(12,296)	$ (154,079)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	60,891			60,891
Other comprehensive income	224				224
Dividends declared	(78,466)			(78,466)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						(7,000)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	302		(107)			$ 409
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0		(25)			$ 25
Stock-based compensation	9,431		9,431
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019						2,668,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 4,318,620	$ 11,208	493,421	3,979,708	(12,072)	$ (153,645)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	112,080,262	112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	3,642,358					3,642,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 4,012,223	$ 11,208	510,305	3,714,307	(28,635)	$ (194,962)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	30,605			30,605
Other comprehensive income	516				516
Dividends declared	(78,652)			(78,652)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						(110,000)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	4,045		(3,103)			$ 7,148
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		71,000				(258,000)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(3,401)	$ 7	(18,126)			$ 14,718
Stock-based compensation	10,201		10,201
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		112,151,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019						3,274,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 3,975,537	$ 11,215	499,277	3,666,260	(28,119)	$ (173,096)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	112,080,262	112,080,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	3,642,358					3,642,000
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 4,012,223	$ 11,208	510,305	3,714,307	(28,635)	$ (194,962)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(389,935)
Other comprehensive income	$ 1,032
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	112,151,563	112,151,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	4,733,267					4,733,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 3,461,006	$ 11,215	509,928	3,168,966	(27,603)	$ (201,500)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		112,151,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019						3,274,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	3,975,537	$ 11,215	499,277	3,666,260	(28,119)	$ (173,096)
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(420,540)			(420,540)
Other comprehensive income	516				516
Dividends declared	(76,754)			(76,754)
Exercise of employee stock options, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0		(47)			$ 47
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						(1,000)
Vesting of restricted stock awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	0		(53)			$ 53
Stock-based compensation	10,751		10,751
Share repurchases (in shares)						1,460,000
Share repurchases	$ (28,504)					$ (28,504)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	112,151,563	112,151,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020	4,733,267					4,733,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 3,461,006	$ 11,215	$ 509,928	$ 3,168,966	$ (27,603)	$ (201,500)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 04, 2020	Dec. 13, 2019	Sep. 04, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71

Condensed Consolidated Statem_6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (389,935)	$ 79,850
Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations	196	371
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(389,739)	80,221
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	262,137	284,620
Asset impairment charge	563,234	0
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	900	752
Provision for (recovery of) bad debt	1,779	(75)
Stock-based compensation	20,952	16,589
Loss on investment securities	9,592	36,957
Gain on sale of assets	(14,589)	(17,090)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	(14,963)	0
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(106,878)	8,827
Other	(3,779)	(3,209)
Change in assets and liabilities increasing (decreasing) cash:
Accounts receivable	(37,717)	13,642
Inventories of materials and supplies	(1,380)	(3,268)
Prepaid expenses and other	(15,962)	3,960
Other noncurrent assets	10,107	(4,602)
Accounts payable	21,764	(2,639)
Accrued liabilities	(68,146)	(456)
Deferred income tax liability	322	160
Other noncurrent liabilities	(4,964)	(5,326)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	232,670	409,063
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations	(28)	(45)
Net cash provided by operating activities	232,642	409,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(94,312)	(329,980)
Purchase of short-term investments	(36,336)	(42,406)
Payment for acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	0	(2,781)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	43,894	58,015
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	15,056	0
Proceeds from asset sales	24,799	24,559
Other	(51)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(46,950)	(292,593)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(155,890)	(156,580)
Debt issuance costs paid	0	(3,912)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	4,100	2,257
Payments for employee taxes on net settlement of equity awards	(3,455)	(6,268)
Payment of contingent consideration from acquisition of business	(4,250)	0
Share repurchases	(28,504)	0
Other	(445)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(188,444)	(164,503)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(2,752)	(48,078)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	382,971	326,185
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	380,219	278,107
Cash paid during the period:
Interest paid	11,440	13,234
Income tax paid, net	43,509	9,127
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	9,626	0
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment	$ 189	$ 12,734

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

NATURE OF OPERATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	NOTE 1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (“H&P,” which, together with its subsidiaries, is identified as the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” except where stated or the context requires otherwise) through its operating subsidiaries provides performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies that are intended to make hydrocarbon recovery safer and more economical for oil and gas exploration and production companies. Our operations are organized into the following reportable business segments: U.S. Land, Offshore, International Land and H&P Technologies. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, we migrated our FlexApp offerings into our H&P Technologies business segment. The activity of our FlexApps was previously included in our U.S. Land segment. All segment disclosures have been restated, as practicable, for these segment changes. Certain other corporate activities, our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects and our wholly owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other". Refer to Note 17—Business Segments and Geographic Information for further details on our reportable segments. Our U.S. Land operations are primarily located in Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Additionally, Offshore operations are conducted in the Gulf of Mexico and our International Land operations have rigs primarily located in four international locations: Argentina, Bahrain, Colombia and United Arab Emirates. We also own, develop and operate limited commercial real estate properties. Our real estate investments, which are located exclusively within Tulsa, Oklahoma, include a shopping center, multi-tenant industrial warehouse properties, and undeveloped real estate. Fiscal Year 2020 Dispositions In December 2019, we closed on the sale of a wholly owned subsidiary of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. ("HPIDC"), TerraVici Drilling Solutions, Inc. ("TerraVici"). As a result of the sale, 100% of TerraVici's outstanding capital stock was transferred to the purchaser in exchange for approximately $15.1 million , resulting in a total gain on the sale of TerraVici of approximately $15.0 million . Prior to the sale, TerraVici was a component of the H&P Technologies reportable segment. This transaction does not represent a strategic shift in our operations and will not have a significant effect on our operations and financial results going forward.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES	NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES Interim Financial Information The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Principles of Consolidation The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. COVID-19 and OPEC+ Production Escalation Impacts The recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its development into a pandemic in March 2020 has resulted in significant economic disruption globally, including in North America and many of the other geographic areas where we operate, or where our customers are located or suppliers or vendors operate. Actions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by governmental authorities around the world, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby resulting in lower demand for crude oil. In addition, the perceived risk of infection and health risk associated with COVID-19, and the illness of many individuals across the globe, has and will continue to alter behaviors of consumers, and policies of companies around the world, resulting in many of the same effects intended by such governmental authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as self-imposed or voluntary social distancing and quarantining and remote work policies. We are complying with local governmental jurisdiction policies and procedures where our operations reside. In some cases, policies and procedures are more stringent in our foreign operations than in our domestic operations and this has resulted in a complete suspension of all drilling operations in at least one foreign jurisdiction. In addition, a customer in one foreign jurisdiction has claimed force majeure resulting in zero chargeable revenues during the suspension period. In early March 2020, the increase in crude oil supply resulting from production escalations from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing nations (“OPEC+”) combined with a decrease in crude oil demand stemming from the global response and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Consequently, we have seen a significant decrease in customer 2020 capital budgets and a corresponding dramatic decline in the demand for land rigs. These events have had, and could continue to have, an adverse impact on numerous aspects of our business, financial condition and results of operations. The ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 and prolonged excess oil supply on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend largely on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 outbreak within the U.S. and the parts of the world in which we operate and the related impact on the oil and gas industry, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty at this time. From a financial perspective, we believe the Company is operationally and financially well positioned to continue operating even through a more protracted disruption caused by COVID-19, oil oversupply and low oil prices. At March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $381.7 million . The 2018 Credit Facility (as defined within Note 8—Debt ) has $750 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75 million available for use as letters of credit. As of March 31, 2020 , there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. We currently do not anticipate the need to draw on the 2018 Credit Facility. Furthermore, the Company 2025 Notes (as defined within Note 8—Debt ) do not come due until March 19, 2025. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Approximately $294.6 million of cash and cash equivalents resides in accounts in the United States and the remaining $41.5 million are in other countries. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits. We had restricted cash of $44.1 million and $34.2 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $35.0 million and $41.8 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Of the total at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 , $1.9 million and $3.0 million , respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $2.0 million as of both fiscal period ends is from the additional capitalization of our wholly-owned captive insurance company, $39.1 million and $30.0 million , respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies, and $1.1 million at March 31, 2020 is for other restricted purposes. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in federally insured deposit accounts. The restricted cash and cash equivalents are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: March 31, September 30, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 Cash $ 336,089 $ 243,912 $ 347,943 $ 284,355 Restricted Cash Prepaid expenses and other 40,744 30,363 31,291 39,830 Other assets 3,386 3,832 3,737 2,000 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 380,219 $ 278,107 $ 382,971 $ 326,185 Leases We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 1 to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes. Up until the end of fiscal year 2019, leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as either finance or operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease (“levelized lease cost”). Beginning October 1, 2019, leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability within accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Company. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is recognized over the lease period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis for finance type leases and as the difference between the levelized lease cost and the finance cost for operating leases. Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments: • Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable • Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate • Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees • The exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and • Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost and are comprised of the following: • The amount of the initial measurement of lease liability • Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received • Any initial direct costs, and • Asset retirement obligations related to that lease, as applicable. Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets are comprised of IT-equipment and office furniture. In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). The assessment is reviewed if a significant event or a significant change in circumstances occurs and is within the control of the lessee. Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information regarding our leases. Recently Issued Accounting Updates Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company. The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements: Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs issued subsequent ASU No. 2016-02 requires organizations that lease assets — referred to as “lessees” — to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP. In addition, disclosures of leasing activities are to be expanded to include qualitative along with specific quantitative information. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method of adoption with an option to use certain practical expedients. October 1, 2019 We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, as required. Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information. ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract This ASU aims to reduce complexity in the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments in this update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. October 1, 2019 We early adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis. The prospective impact was not material to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2020 ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income(loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. October 1, 2020 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2020. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Self-Insurance We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from $1 million to $10 million per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability claims and claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters' estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our domestic casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs. On October 1, 2019, we elected to utilize a wholly owned insurance captive (“Captive”) to insure the deductibles for our workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance programs. Casualty claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019 will remain on the operating segment books and future adjustments to these claims will continue to be reflected within the operating segments. Reserves for legacy claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019, will remain as liabilities in our operating segments until they have been resolved. Changes in those reserves will be reflected in segment earnings as they occur. We also intend to continue utilizing the Captive to insure the deductibles for our assets under a property insurance program. The Company and the Captive maintain excess property and casualty reinsurance programs with third-party insurers in an effort to limit the financial impact of significant events covered under these programs. Our operating subsidiaries are paying premiums to the Captive, typically on a monthly basis, for the estimated losses based on the external actuarial analysis. These premiums are held in a restricted account, resulting in a transfer of risk from our operating subsidiaries to the Captive for the deductible self-insurance retention. The actuarial estimated underwriting expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was approximately $6.0 million and $14.7 million , respectively, and was recorded within Contract drilling services operating expenses in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Intercompany premium revenues and expenses during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 amounted to $10.5 million and $18.2 million , respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. These intercompany insurance premiums are reflected as segment operating expenses within the U.S. Land, Offshore, and International Land reportable operating segments and are reflected as intersegment sales within "Other". The Company previously self-insured employee health plan exposures in excess of employee deductibles. Starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 , the Captive insurer issued a stop-loss program that will pay for health plan claims that exceed $50,000 . One hundred percent of the stop-loss premium is being set aside by the Captive as reserves. The stop-loss program does not have a material impact on a consolidated basis. International Land Drilling Risks International Land drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our international land operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, we are paid in Argentine pesos. The Argentine branch of one of our second-tier subsidiaries remits U.S. dollars to its U.S. parent by converting the Argentine pesos into U.S. dollars through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market and repatriating the U.S. dollars. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars, including controls that were implemented in September 2019 and are presently in effect. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. As of March 31, 2020 , our cash balance in Argentina was $33.7 million . In the past the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , we experienced aggregate foreign currency losses of $3.4 million and $2.8 million , respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $0.7 million and $4.6 million , respectively. In the future, we may incur larger currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars from Argentina or elsewhere, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because of the impact of local laws, our future operations in certain areas may be conducted through entities in which local citizens own interests and through entities (including joint ventures) in which we hold only a minority interest or pursuant to arrangements under which we conduct operations under contract to local entities. While we believe that neither operating through such entities nor pursuant to such arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our operations or revenues, there can be no assurance that we will in all cases be able to structure or restructure our operations to conform to local law (or the administration thereof) on terms acceptable to us. Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , approximately 8.2 percent and 8.0 percent , respectively, of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our contract drilling business compared to 7.1 percent and 8.1 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , approximately 66.4 percent and 76.2 percent , respectively, of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America compared to 93.9 percent and 90.9 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , respectively. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. The future occurrence of one or more international events arising from the types of risks described above could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS	NOTE 3 BUSINESS COMBINATIONS Fiscal Year 2019 Acquisitions On August 21, 2019, we completed an acquisition of an unaffiliated company, DrillScan Energy SAS and its subsidiaries ("DrillScan"), which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, for total consideration of approximately $32.7 million , which includes $17.7 million of contingent consideration. The fair value of the total assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, as of the acquisition date, were $36.3 million and $3.6 million , respectively, including goodwill of $14.9 million . Of the total assets acquired, $19.1 million was allocated to identifiable intangible assets. DrillScan is a leading provider of proprietary drilling engineering software, well engineering services and training for the oil and gas industry. The operations of DrillScan are included in the H&P Technologies reportable business segment. The acquisition of DrillScan was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their acquisition date fair values. In accordance with GAAP, an entity is allowed a reasonable period of time (not to exceed one year) to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. This acquisition is still within this measurement period, and as a result, the acquisition date fair values we have recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change as a result of new information identified. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, as a result of new information identified related to the acquisition of DrillScan, the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration and goodwill increased by approximately $1.2 million . On November 1, 2018, we completed an acquisition of an unaffiliated company, Angus Jamieson Consulting (“AJC”), which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, for total consideration of approximately $3.4 million . AJC is a software-based training and consultancy company based in Inverness, Scotland and is widely recognized as an industry leader in wellbore positioning. The operations of AJC are included in the H&P Technologies reportable segment. The acquisition of AJC has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, which requires the assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their acquisition date fair values. The allocation of the purchase price includes goodwill of $3.1 million .

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	NOTE 4 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Current and noncurrent liabilities from discontinued operations consist of municipal and income taxes payable and social obligations due within the country of Venezuela. Expenses incurred for in-country obligations are reported as discontinued operations within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The activity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to the remeasurement of uncertain tax liabilities as a result of the devaluation of the Venezuela Bolivar. Early in 2018, the Venezuelan government announced that it changed the existing dual-rate foreign currency exchange system by eliminating its heavily subsidized foreign exchange rate, which was 10 Bolivars per United States dollar, and relaunched an exchange system known as DICOM. The Venezuela government also established a new currency called the “Sovereign Bolivar,” which was determined by the elimination of five zeros from the old currency. The DICOM floating rate was approximately 80,946 Bolivars per United States dollar at March 31, 2020 . The DICOM floating rate might not reflect the barter market exchange rates.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	NOTE 5 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 consisted of the following: (in thousands) Estimated Useful Lives March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Contract drilling services equipment 4 - 15 years $ 7,330,789 $ 7,881,323 Tubulars 4 years 615,238 618,310 Real estate properties 10 - 45 years 72,517 72,507 Other 2 - 23 years 474,148 471,803 Construction in progress (1) 71,252 117,761 8,563,944 9,161,704 Accumulated depreciation (4,723,731 ) (4,659,620 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 3,840,213 $ 4,502,084 (1) Included in construction in progress are costs for projects in progress to upgrade or refurbish certain rigs in our existing fleet. Additionally, we include other capital maintenance purchase-orders that are open/in process. As these various projects are completed, the costs are then classified to their appropriate useful life category. Depreciation Depreciation expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $130.2 million and $141.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $258.5 million and $281.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Included in depreciation expenses is abandonments of $0.9 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $1.7 million and $5.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Gain on Sale of Assets We had gains on sales of assets of $10.3 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $14.6 million and $17.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. These gains were primarily related to reimbursement for drill pipe damaged or lost in drilling operations. Impairments Consistent with our policy, we evaluate our drilling rigs and related equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows. Our evaluation, among other things, includes a review of external market factors and an assessment on the future marketability of a specific rigs’ asset group. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, several significant economic events took place that severely impacted the current demand on drilling services, including the significant drop in crude oil prices caused by OPEC+'s price war coupled with a decrease in the demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain a competitive edge in a challenging market, the Company’s management introduced a new strategy focused on operating various types of highly capable upgraded rigs and phasing out the older, less capable fleet. This resulted in grouping the super-spec rigs of our legacy Domestic FlexRig3 asset group with our FlexRig5 asset group creating a new "Domestic super-spec FlexRig" asset group, while combining the legacy Domestic conventional asset group, FlexRig4 asset group and FlexRig3 non-super-spec rigs into one asset group (Domestic non-super-spec asset group) (See Note 18—Subsequent Events ). Given the current and projected low utilization for our Domestic non-super-spec asset group and all International asset groups, we considered these economic factors to be indicators that these asset groups may be impaired. At March 31, 2020, we performed impairment testing on our Domestic non-super-spec and International conventional, FlexRig3, and FlexRig4 asset groups which had an aggregate net book value of $605.8 million . We concluded that the net book value of each asset group is not recoverable through estimated undiscounted cash flows and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $441.4 million in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $441.4 million total impairment charge recorded, $292.4 million and $149.0 million was recorded in the U.S. Land and International Land segment, respectively. Impairment was measured as the amount by which the net book value of each asset group exceeds its fair value. The most significant assumptions used in our undiscounted cash flow model include timing on awards of future drilling contracts, drilling rig utilization, estimated remaining useful life, and net proceeds received upon future sale/disposition. These assumptions are classified as Level 3 inputs by ASC Topic 820 Fair Value measurement and Disclosures as they are based upon unobservable inputs and primarily rely on management assumptions and forecasts. In determining the fair value of each asset group, we utilized a combination of income and market approaches. The significant assumptions in the valuation are based on those of a market participant and are classified as Level 2 and Level 3 inputs by ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures. The Company also recorded an additional non-cash impairment charge related to in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory of $44.9 million and $38.6 million , respectively, which had aggregate book values of $68.4 million and $38.6 million , respectively, in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Of the $83.5 million total impairment charge recorded for in-progress drilling equipment and rotational inventory, $75.8 million and $7.7 million was recorded in the U.S. Land and International Land segment, respectively.

LEASES

LEASES	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	NOTE 6 LEASES ASC 842 Adoption On October 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842, retrospectively through a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating comparative periods for the 2019 and 2018 fiscal years as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in ASC 842. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules are therefore recognized in the opening balance sheet on October 1, 2019. Upon adoption of ASC 842, we recognized lease liabilities in relation to leases that had previously been classified as operating leases under the principles of ASC 840. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of October 1, 2019, as most of our contracts do not provide an implicit rate. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the operating lease liabilities on October 1, 2019 was approximately 2.9% . The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet on October 1, 2019: (in thousands) September 30, 2019 Adjustments October 1, 2019 Other Noncurrent Assets: Operating lease right-of-use asset $ — $ 56,071 $ 56,071 Current Liabilities: Accrued liabilities — 16,277 16,277 Noncurrent Liabilities: Other — 39,794 39,794 As of March 31, 2020 , segment assets and liabilities have all increased from September 30, 2019 as a result of the change in accounting policy. All reportable segments were affected by the change in policy. In applying ASC 842 for the first time, we have used the following practical expedients permitted by the topic: • The use of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics, • Not to reassess whether a contract is, or contains a lease at the date of initial application; instead, for contracts entered into before the transition date, we relied on our assessment in which we applied ASC 840 prior to the adoption date, • The option to not reassess initial direct cost for existing leases, and • The use of hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease. We have made the accounting policy election to not recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding liability for leases with a term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value. Additionally, ASC 842 provides lessors with a practical expedient, by class of underlying asset, to not separate lease and non-lease components and account for the combined component under ASC 606 when the non-lease component is the predominant element of the combined component. The lessor practical expedient is limited to circumstances in which the lease, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease under ASC 842. With respect to our drilling service contracts that commenced or were amended during the six months ended March 31, 2020 , we concluded that our drilling contracts contain a lease component and that the non-lease component is the predominant element of the combined component of such contracts. As such, we elected to apply the practical expedient to not separate the lease and non-lease components and account for the combined component under ASC 606. Therefore, we do not expect any change in our revenue recognition patterns or disclosures as a result of our adoption of ASC 842. Lease Position (in thousands) October 1, 2019 March 31, 2020 Operating lease commitments disclosed 62,218 53,998 Discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application 57,323 49,822 (Less): short-term leases recognized on a straight-line basis as expense (1,252 ) (1,092 ) Lease liability recognized $ 56,071 $ 48,730 Of which: Current lease liabilities $ 16,277 $ 13,412 Non-current lease liabilities 39,794 35,318 The recognized right-of-use assets relate to the following types of assets: (in thousands) October 1, 2019 March 31, 2020 Properties $ 52,188 $ 45,123 Equipment 3,652 2,945 Other 231 662 Total right-of-use assets $ 56,071 $ 48,730 The right-of-use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted for the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments recognized on the balance sheet at September 30, 2019. Lease Costs The following table presents certain information related to the lease costs for our operating leases: (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Operating lease cost $ 4,286 $ 8,557 Short-term lease cost 462 1,069 Total lease cost $ 4,748 $ 9,626 Lease Terms and Discount Rates The table below presents certain information related to the weighted average remaining lease terms and weighted average discount rates for our operating leases as of March 31, 2020 . March 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term 9.4 Weighted average discount rate 2.9 % Lease Obligations Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2020 (in thousands) are as follows: Fiscal Year Amount 2020 $ 9,279 2021 10,017 2022 8,653 2023 7,707 2024 7,258 Thereafter 11,084 Total $ 53,998 Total rent expense was $4.7 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $9.6 million and $7.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The future minimum lease payments for our Tulsa corporate office and our Tulsa industrial facility represent a material portion of the amounts shown in the table above. The lease agreement for our Tulsa corporate office commenced on May 30, 2003 and has subsequently been amended, most recently on March 12, 2018. The agreement will expire on January 31, 2025; however, we have two five -year renewal options, which were not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The lease agreement for our Tulsa industrial facility, where we perform maintenance and assembly of FlexRig components commenced on December 21, 2018 and will expire on June 30, 2025; however, we have two two

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 7 GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment at the reporting unit level, at a minimum on an annual basis, or when indications of potential impairment exist. All of our goodwill is within our H&P Technologies reportable segment. The following is a summary of changes in goodwill (in thousands): Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 82,786 Additions 1,200 Impairment (38,333 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 45,653 During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , as a result of new information identified related to the acquisition of DrillScan, the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration and goodwill increased by approximately $1.2 million . Intangible Assets Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the period in which these assets contribute to our cash flows and are evaluated for impairment in accordance with our policies for valuation of long-lived assets. All of our intangible assets are within our H&P Technologies reportable segment. Intangible assets consisted of the following: March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangible asset: Developed technology 15 years $ 89,096 $ 13,331 $ 75,765 $ 89,096 $ 10,256 $ 78,840 Intellectual property 13 years 1,500 47 1,453 — — — Trade name 20 years 5,865 683 5,182 5,865 522 5,343 Customer relationships 5 years 4,000 1,867 2,133 4,000 1,467 2,533 $ 100,461 $ 15,928 $ 84,533 $ 98,961 $ 12,245 $ 86,716 Amortization expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was $1.8 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $3.7 million and $2.8 million for six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. I ntangible amortization is estimated to be approximately $3.6 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2020 , approximately $7.2 million for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 , approximately $6.5 million for fiscal year 2023 and approximately $6.4 million for fiscal year 2024 . Impairments Consistent with our policy, we test goodwill annually for impairment in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, or more frequently if there are indicators that goodwill might be impaired. Due to the market conditions described in Note 5—Property, Plant and Equipment , we concluded that goodwill and intangible assets might be impaired and tested the H&P Technologies reporting unit, where the goodwill balance is allocated and the intangible assets are recorded, for recoverability. This resulted in a goodwill only non-cash impairment charge of $38.3 million recorded in Asset Impairment Charge on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 . The recoverable amount of the H&P Technologies segment as a reporting unit is determined based on a fair value calculation which uses cash flow projections based on the Company’s financial budgets approved by the board of directors covering a five-year period, and a discount rate of 14 percent . Cash flows beyond that five-year period have been extrapolated using the fifth-year data with no implied growth factor. The recoverable amount of the intangible assets tested for impairment within the H&P Technologies reporting unit is determined based on undiscounted cash flow projections using the Company’s financial budgets approved by the board of directors covering a five-year period, and extrapolated for the remaining weighted average useful lives of the intangible assets.

DEBT

DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	NOTE 8 DEBT We had the following unsecured long-term debt outstanding with maturities shown in the following table: March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Face Amount Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost Book Value Face Amount Unamortized Book Value Unsecured senior notes: Due March 19, 2025 $ 487,148 $ (7,337 ) $ 479,811 $ 487,148 $ (7,792 ) $ 479,356 487,148 (7,337 ) 479,811 487,148 (7,792 ) 479,356 Less long-term debt due within one year — — — — — — Long-term debt $ 487,148 $ (7,337 ) $ 479,811 $ 487,148 $ (7,792 ) $ 479,356 Senior Notes HPIDC 2025 Notes On March 19, 2015, our subsidiary, Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. ("HPIDC") issued $500 million of 4.65 percent unsecured senior notes due 2025 of HPIDC (the "HPIDC 2025 Notes"), which were redeemed in full on September 27, 2019 as described under "––Exchange Offer, Consent Solicitation and Redemption." Interest on the HPIDC 2025 Notes was payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15. The debt discount was being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. The debt issuance costs were being amortized straight-line over the stated life of the obligation, which approximated the effective interest method. Exchange Offer, Consent Solicitation and Redemption On December 20, 2018 , we settled an offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) any and all outstanding HPIDC 2025 Notes for (i) up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of new 4.65 percent unsecured senior notes due 2025 of the Company (the “Company 2025 Notes”), with registration rights, and (ii) cash, pursuant to which we issued approximately $487.1 million in aggregate principal amount of Company 2025 Notes. Interest on the Company 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2019. The debt issuance costs are being amortized straight-line over the stated life of the obligation, which approximates the effective interest method. Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, HPIDC had outstanding approximately $12.9 million in aggregate principal amount of HPIDC 2025 Notes. On December 20, 2018 , HPIDC, the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, entered into a supplemental indenture to the indenture governing the HPIDC 2025 Notes to adopt certain proposed amendments pursuant to a consent solicitation conducted concurrently with the Exchange Offer. On September 27, 2019, we redeemed the remaining approximately $12.9 million in aggregate principal amount of HPIDC 2025 Notes for approximately $14.6 million , including accrued interest and a prepayment premium. Simultaneously with the redemption of the HPIDC 2025 Notes, HPIDC was released as a guarantor under the Company 2025 Notes and the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined herein). As a result of such release, H&P is the only obligor under the Company 2025 Notes and the 2018 Credit Facility. Credit Facilities On November 13, 2018, we entered into a credit agreement by and among the Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, providing for an unsecured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “2018 Credit Facility”), which is set to mature on November 13, 2024. The 2018 Credit Facility has $750 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75 million available for use as letters of credit. The 2018 Credit Facility also permits aggregate commitments under the facility to be increased by $300 million , subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and the procurement of additional commitments from new or existing lenders. The borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility accrue interest at a spread over either the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Base Rate. We also pay a commitment fee on the unused balance of the facility. Borrowing spreads as well as commitment fees are determined based on the debt rating for senior unsecured debt of the Company, as determined by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The spread over LIBOR ranges from 0.875 percent to 1.500 percent per annum and commitment fees range from 0.075 percent to 0.200 percent per annum. There is a financial covenant in the 2018 Credit Facility that requires us to maintain a total debt to total capitalization ratio of less than or equal to 50 percent . The 2018 Credit Facility contains additional terms, conditions, restrictions and covenants that we believe are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies of similar size and credit quality, including a limitation that priority debt (as defined in the credit agreement) may not exceed 17.5 percent of the net worth of the Company. As of March 31, 2020 , there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2020 , we had two outstanding letters of credit with banks, in the amounts of $24.8 million and $2.1 million , respectively. As of March 31, 2020 , we also had a $20.0 million unsecured standalone line of credit facility, for the purpose of obtaining the issuance of international letters of credit, bank guarantees, and performance bonds. Of the $20.0 million , $14.3 million of financial guarantees were outstanding as of March 31, 2020 . The applicable agreements for all unsecured debt contain additional terms, conditions and restrictions that we believe are usual and customary in unsecured debt arrangements for companies that are similar in size and credit quality. At March 31, 2020 , we were in compliance with all debt covenants .

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 9 INCOME TAXES On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). The CARES Act, among other things, includes certain income tax provisions for corporations; however, as of March 31, 2020, we are not anticipating any of the benefits to impact the Company’s current tax provision. We use an estimated annual effective tax rate for purposes of determining the income tax provision during interim reporting periods. In calculating our estimated annual effective tax rate, we consider forecasted annual pre-tax income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and estimates will occur as information and assumptions change. Our income tax (benefit) provision from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $(113.4) million and $25.1 million , respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 21.2 percent and 25.9 percent , respectively. Our income tax provision (benefit) from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $(99.3) million and $26.4 million , respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 20.3 percent and 24.8 percent , respectively. The income tax benefit for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 includes an estimated deferred tax benefit that is primarily due to the significant reduction in the GAAP basis of property as a result of the asset impairments. Effective tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0 percent for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 primarily due to state and foreign income taxes, permanent non-deductible items and discrete adjustments. The Company made $43.5 million in income tax payments during the six months ended March 31, 2020 of which approximately $21.5 million relate to fiscal year 2019. As of March 31, 2020 , $17.8 million of the payments have been classified as prepaid income tax to be applied to future income tax liabilities. For the next 12 months, we cannot predict with certainty whether we will achieve ultimate resolution of any uncertain tax positions associated with our U.S. and international operations that could result in increases or decreases of our unrecognized tax benefits. However, we do not expect the increases or decreases to have a material effect on our results of continuing operations or financial position.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	NOTE 10 SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The Company has authorization from the Board of Directors (the "Board") for the repurchase of up to four million common shares per calendar year. The repurchases may be made using our cash and cash equivalents or other available sources. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , we purchased 1.5 million common shares at an aggregate cost of $28.5 million , which are held as treasury shares. We had no purchases of common shares during the six months ended March 31, 2019 . A cash dividend of $0.71 per share was declared on September 4, 2019 for shareholders of record on November 11, 2019 and was paid on December 2, 2019, and a cash dividend of $0.71 per share was declared on December 13, 2019 for shareholders of record on February 10, 2020 and was paid on March 2, 2020 . An additional cash dividend of $0.71 per share was declared on March 4, 2020 for shareholders of record on May 11, 2020, payable on June 1, 2020. As a result, we recorded a dividend payable of $77.3 million within Accounts Payable on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 . Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows: (in thousands) March 31, September 30, Pre-tax amounts: Unrealized actuarial loss $ (35,746 ) $ (37,084 ) $ (35,746 ) $ (37,084 ) After-tax amounts: Unrealized actuarial loss $ (27,603 ) $ (28,635 ) $ (27,603 ) $ (28,635 ) The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to the defined benefit pension plan for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 : (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 Balance at beginning of period $ (28,119 ) $ (28,635 ) Activity during the period Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 516 1,032 Net current-period other comprehensive income 516 1,032 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (27,603 ) $ (27,603 )

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUS

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	NOTE 11 REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS Contract Drilling Services Revenue Due to the continued decline in the price of oil, our customers have reduced their drilling activity and we have received rig release notifications for rigs under term and well-to-well contracts. The releases for rigs under term contracts result in early termination compensation owed to us, while releases for rigs under well-to-well contracts given outside the notification window per the contract result in notification fees owed to us. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , early termination revenue associated with term contracts was approximately $8.2 million and $1.2 million , respectively, and $8.3 million for both the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 . During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , notification fee revenue related to well-to-well contracts was approximately $2.2 million and $0.3 million , respectively, and $2.1 million and $0.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, we have received additional rig release notifications, which will result in additional early termination and notification fee revenue. Refer to Note 18—Subsequent Events . As a result of the depressed market conditions and negative outlook for the near term, certain of our customers have opted to renegotiate existing drilling contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we agreed to certain price concessions on some of our existing drilling contracts; however, the total impact on current and future periods is not significant. Contract Costs We had capitalized fulfillment costs of $9.9 million and $13.9 million as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 , respectively. Remaining Performance Obligations The total aggregate transaction price allocated to the unsatisfied performance obligations, commonly referred to as backlog, as of March 31, 2020 was approximately $837.6 million , of which approximately $413.1 million is expected to be recognized during the remainder of fiscal year 2020 , approximately $312.1 million during fiscal year 2021 , and approximately $112.4 million in fiscal year 2022 and thereafter. These amounts do not include anticipated contract renewals. Additionally, contracts that currently contain month-to-month terms are represented in our backlog as one month of unsatisfied performance obligations. Our contracts are subject to cancellation or modification at the election of the customer; however, due to the level of capital deployed by our customers on underlying projects, we have not been materially adversely affected by contract cancellations or modifications in the past. We do not have material long-term contracts related to our H&P Technologies segment. Contract Assets and Liabilities The following tables summarize the balances of our contract assets and liabilities: (in thousands) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Contract assets $ 2,270 $ 2,151 (in thousands) March 31, 2020 Contract liabilities balance at September 30, 2019 $ 23,354 Payment received/accrued and deferred 13,594 Revenue recognized during the period (24,050 ) Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2020 $ 12,898

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	NOTE 12 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION On March 3, 2020, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) was approved by our stockholders. The 2020 Plan replaces our stockholder-approved Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2016 Plan"). The 2020 Plan is a stock and cash-based incentive plan that, among other things, authorizes the Board or Human Resources Committee of the Board to grant executive officers, employees and non-employee directors stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares and restricted share units, share bonuses, other share-based awards and cash awards. Awards outstanding under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2016 Plan remain subject to the terms and conditions of those plans. Beginning with fiscal year 2019, we replaced stock options with performance share units as a component of our executives’ long-term equity incentive compensation. As a result, there were no new non-qualified stock options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2020 . We have also eliminated stock options as an element of our non-employee director compensation program. The Board has determined to award stock-based compensation to non-employee directors solely in the form of restricted stock. During the six months ended March 31, 2020 , 727,009 shares of restricted stock awards and 258,857 performance share units were granted under the 2016 Plan and 54,118 shares of restricted stock awards were granted under the 2020 Plan. A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in contract drilling services operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Stock-based compensation expense Stock options $ 416 $ 938 $ 987 $ 2,354 Restricted stock 8,273 6,861 15,643 12,603 Performance share units 2,062 1,632 4,322 1,632 $ 10,751 $ 9,431 $ 20,952 $ 16,589 Of the total stock-based compensation expense, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , $2.9 million and $5.3 million , respectively, was recorded in contract drilling services operating expenses on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , $1.8 million and $3.4 million , respectively, was recorded in contract drilling services operating expenses. Of the total stock-based compensation expense, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , $7.9 million and $15.7 million , respectively, was recorded in selling, general and administrative expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , $7.6 million and $13.2 million , respectively, was recorded in selling, general and administrative expense. Stock Options A summary of stock option activity under all existing long-term incentive plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 is presented in the following tables: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts and years) Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2019 3,028 $ 62.44 Exercised — — Forfeited/Expired — — Outstanding at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44 5.05 $ — Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44 5.05 $ — Exercisable at March 31, 2020 2,633 $ 62.44 4.68 $ — Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts and years) Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at September 30, 2019 3,238 $ 60.86 Exercised (202) 38.02 Forfeited/Expired (8) 39.37 Outstanding at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44 The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $0.1 million , and $0.3 million and $7.7 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. As of March 31, 2020 , the unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was $2.3 million , which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. Restricted Stock Restricted stock awards consist of our common stock and are time-vested over four years . Non-forfeitable dividends are paid on non-vested shares of restricted stock. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing price of our shares on the grant date. As of March 31, 2020 , there was $49.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years. A summary of the status of our restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2020 and changes in non-vested restricted stock outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2019 1,085 $ 61.28 Granted 781 39.99 Vested (1) (415 ) 62.15 Forfeited (15 ) 50.75 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2020 1,436 $ 49.56 (1) The number of restricted stock awards vested includes shares that we withheld on behalf of our employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements. Performance Share Units We have made awards to certain employees that are subject to market-based performance conditions ("performance share units"). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable performance share unit award agreements and the 2016 Plan, grants of performance share units are subject to a vesting period of three years (the “Vesting Period”) that is dependent on the achievement of certain performance goals. Such performance share unit awards consist of two separate components. Performance share units that comprise the first component are subject to a three -year performance cycle. Performance share units that comprise the second component are further divided into three separate tranches, each of which is subject to a separate one -year performance cycle within the full three -year performance cycle. The vesting of the performance share units is generally dependent on (i) the achievement of the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance goals relative to the TSR achievement of a peer group of companies (the “Peer Group”) over the applicable performance cycle, and (ii) the continued employment of the recipient of the performance share unit award throughout the Vesting Period. At the end of the Vesting Period, recipients receive dividend equivalents, if any, with respect to the number of vested performance share units. The vesting of units ranges from zero to 200 percent of the units granted depending on the Company’s TSR relative to the TSR of the Peer Group on the vesting date. The grant date fair value of performance share units was determined through use of the Monte Carlo simulation method. The Monte Carlo simulation method requires the use of highly subjective assumptions. Our key assumptions in the method include the price and the expected volatility of our stock and our self-determined Peer Group companies’ stock, risk free rate of return and cross-correlations between the Company and our Peer Group companies. The valuation model assumes dividends are immediately reinvested. As of March 31, 2020 , there was $11.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance share units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years . A summary of the status of our performance share units as of March 31, 2020 and changes in non-vested performance share units outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Non-vested performance share units outstanding at September 30, 2019 145 $ 62.66 Granted 259 43.40 Non-vested performance share units outstanding at March 31, 2020 404 $ 50.31 The weighted-average fair value calculation for performance share units granted during the six months ended March 31, 2020 is based on the following weighted-average assumptions set forth in the table below. Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 Risk-free interest rate (1) 1.6 % Expected stock volatility (2) 34.8 % Expected term (in years) 3.2 (1) The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities for the expected term of the performance share units. (2) Expected volatilities are based on the daily closing price of our stock based upon historical experience over a period which approximates the expected term of the performance share units.

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SH

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE	NOTE 13 EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE ASC 260, Earnings per Share, requires companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. We have granted and expect to continue to grant to employees restricted stock grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities under ASC 260. As such, we are required to include these grants in the calculation of our basic earnings per share and calculate basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Basic earnings per share is computed utilizing the two-class method and is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods utilizing the two-class method for stock options, non-vested restricted stock and performance share units. Under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share, dividends paid and a portion of undistributed net income, but not losses, are allocated to unvested restricted stock grants that receive dividends, which are considered participating securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (420,468 ) $ 71,857 $ (389,739 ) $ 80,221 Loss from discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) Net income (loss) (420,540 ) 60,891 (389,935 ) 79,850 Adjustment for basic earnings per share Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders (1,003 ) (784 ) (1,994 ) (1,560 ) Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations (421,471 ) 71,073 (391,733 ) 78,661 From discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) (421,543 ) 60,107 (391,929 ) 78,290 Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share: Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders — — — — Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations (421,471 ) 71,073 (391,733 ) 78,661 From discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) $ (421,543 ) $ 60,107 $ (391,929 ) $ 78,290 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 108,557 109,406 108,556 109,273 Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance share units — 97 — 179 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares 108,557 109,503 108,556 109,452 Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (3.88 ) $ 0.65 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Loss from discontinued operations — (0.10 ) — — Net income (loss) $ (3.88 ) $ 0.55 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (3.88 ) $ 0.65 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Loss from discontinued operations — (0.10 ) — — Net income (loss) $ (3.88 ) $ 0.55 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 We had a net loss for three and six months ended March 31, 2020 . Accordingly, our diluted earnings per share calculation this period was equivalent to our basic earnings per share calculation since diluted earnings per share excluded any assumed exercise of equity awards. These were excluded because they were deemed to be anti-dilutive, meaning their inclusion would have reduced the reported net loss per share in the applicable period. The following average shares attributable to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share 4,579 2,921 3,579 2,770 Weighted-average price per share $ 58.03 $ 64.04 $ 60.55 $ 64.18

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINAN

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 14 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS We have certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured and disclosed at fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820-10 to measure fair value to prioritize the inputs: • Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date. • Level 2 — Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. • Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. The assets held in a Non-Qualified Supplemental Savings Plan are carried at fair value, which totaled $13.7 million at March 31, 2020 and $15.7 million at September 30, 2019 . The assets are comprised of mutual funds that are measured using Level 1 inputs. Short-term investments include securities classified as trading securities. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income (expense) in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The securities are recorded at fair value. Our non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at fair value when acquired in a business combination or when an impairment charge is recognized. If measured at fair value in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, these would generally be classified within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The majority of cash equivalents are invested in highly liquid money-market mutual funds invested primarily in direct or indirect obligations of the U.S. Government. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments. The carrying value of other current assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities approximated fair value at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 . The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value presented in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 : (in thousands) Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Recurring fair value measurements: Short-term investments: Certificates of deposit $ 6,545 $ — $ 6,545 $ — Corporate and municipal debt securities 18,985 — 18,985 — U.S. government and federal agency securities 20,125 20,125 — — Total short-term investments 45,655 20,125 25,530 — Cash and cash equivalents 336,089 336,089 — — Investments 6,650 6,307 343 — Other current assets 40,744 40,744 — — Other assets 3,386 3,386 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 432,524 $ 406,651 $ 25,873 $ — Liabilities: Contingent earnout liability $ 11,823 $ — $ — $ 11,823 At March 31, 2020 , our financial instruments measured at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs include cash equivalents, U.S. Agency issued debt securities, equity securities with active markets and money market funds that are classified as restricted assets. The current portion of restricted amounts are included in prepaid expenses and other and the noncurrent portion is included in other assets. For these items, quoted current market prices are readily available. At March 31, 2020 , assets measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs include certificates of deposit, municipal bonds and corporate bonds measured using broker quotations that utilize observable market inputs. Our financial instruments measured using Level 3 unobservable inputs consist of potential earnout payments primarily associated with our business acquisitions in fiscal year 2019. The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net liabilities at beginning of period $ 19,873 $ 12,147 $ 18,373 $ 11,160 Additions — — 1,500 673 Total gains or losses: Included in earnings (3,800 ) (3,132 ) (3,800 ) (2,818 ) Settlements (1) (4,250 ) — (4,250 ) — Net liabilities at March 31, $ 11,823 $ 9,015 $ 11,823 $ 9,015 (1) Settlements represent earnout payments that have been paid or earned during the period. The following table provides quantitative information (in thousands) about our Level 3 unobservable inputs at March 31, 2020 : Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average (1) $500 Monte Carlo simulation Discount rate 4.5 % Revenue Volatility 30.6 % Risk free rate 1.2 % $11,323 Probability Analysis Discount rate 5.0 % Payment amounts $3,000 - $7,000 $ 5,400 Probabilities 40% - 60% 53 % (1) The weighted average of the payment amounts and the probabilities (Level 3 unobservable inputs), associated with the contingent consideration valued using probability analysis, were weighted by the relative undiscounted fair value of payment amounts and of probability payment amounts, respectively. The above significant unobservable inputs are subject to change based on changes in economic and market conditions. The use of significant unobservable inputs creates uncertainty in the measurement of fair value as of the reporting date. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using Monte Carlo simulation are (i) discount rate, (ii) revenue volatility and (iii) risk-free rate. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate and risk-free rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant changes in revenue volatility in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration using probability analysis are (i) discount rate, (ii) payment amounts and (iii) probabilities. Significant increases or decreases in the discount rate in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement. Significant increases or decreases in the payment amounts or probabilities in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. It is not possible for us to predict the effect of future economic or market conditions on our estimated fair values. The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 : (in millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt $ 479.8 $ 479.4 Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt 494.3 526.4 The fair value for the $487.1 million fixed-rate debt is based on broker quotes. The notes are classified within Level 2 as they are not actively traded in markets. The estimated fair value of our investments, reflected on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Investments, is based on Level 1 inputs. As a result of the change in the fair value of our investments, we recorded a loss of $12.4 million and a loss of $9.6 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , respectively.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 15 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost The following provides information at March 31, 2020 and 2019 , related to the Company-sponsored domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest cost $ 1,097 $ 1,097 $ 2,194 $ 2,194 Expected return on plan assets (1,381 ) (1,386 ) (2,762 ) (2,772 ) Recognized net actuarial loss 669 291 1,338 583 Net pension expense $ 385 $ 2 $ 770 $ 5 Employer Contributions We did no t contribute to the Pension Plan during the six months ended March 31, 2020 . For the remainder of fiscal year 2020 , we do not expect minimum contributions required by law to be needed; however, we may make contributions during the remainder of fiscal year 2020 if needed to fund unexpected distributions in lieu of liquidating pension assets.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 16 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Purchase Commitments Equipment, parts and supplies are ordered in advance to promote efficient construction and capital improvement progress. At March 31, 2020 , we had purchase commitments for equipment, parts and supplies of approximately $12.7 million . Lease Obligations Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information on our lease obligations. Guarantee Arrangements We are contingently liable to sureties in respect of bonds issued by the sureties in connection with certain commitments entered into by us in the normal course of business. We have agreed to indemnify the sureties for any payments made by them in respect of such bonds. Contingencies During the ordinary course of our business, contingencies arise resulting from an existing condition, situation or set of circumstances involving an uncertainty as to the realization of a possible gain or loss contingency. We account for gain contingencies in accordance with the provisions of ASC 450, Contingencies, and, therefore, we do not record gain contingencies or recognize income until realized. The property and equipment of our Venezuelan subsidiary was seized by the Venezuelan government on June 30, 2010. HPIDC, our wholly-owned subsidiary and the parent company of our Venezuelan subsidiary, has a lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. and PDVSA Petroleo, S.A., seeking damages for the taking of their Venezuelan drilling business in violation of international law. While there exists the possibility of realizing a recovery, we are currently unable to determine the timing or amounts we may receive, if any, or the likelihood of recovery. In October 2017, an employee of HPIDC suffered personal injury and subsequently brought a lawsuit against the operator. Pursuant to the terms of the drilling contract between HPIDC and the operator, HPIDC indemnified the operator in the lawsuit, subject to certain limitations. A settlement agreement was reached with the operator. As of September 30, 2019, we accrued $9.5 million for this lawsuit, which was subsequently paid out during the six months ended March 31, 2020 . The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various other pending legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. We maintain insurance against certain business risks subject to certain deductibles. Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our experiences to date and taking into account established reserves and insurance, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. When we determine a loss is probable of occurring and is reasonably estimable, we accrue an undiscounted liability for such contingencies based on our best estimate using information available at that time. If the estimated loss is a range of potential outcomes and there is no better estimate within the range, we accrue the amount at the low end of the range. We disclose contingencies where an adverse outcome may be material, or in the judgment of management, we conclude the matter should otherwise be disclosed.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHI

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	NOTE 17 BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Description of the Business We are a performance-driven drilling solutions and technologies company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma with operations in all major U.S. onshore basins as well as South America and the Middle East. Our contract drilling operations consist mainly of contracting Company-owned drilling equipment primarily to large oil and gas exploration companies. We believe we are the recognized industry leader in drilling as well as technological innovation. As of March 31, 2020 , our contract drilling services business includes the following reportable operating segments: U.S. Land, Offshore, International Land and H&P Technologies. This is consistent with the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019, we migrated our FlexApp offerings into our H&P Technologies segment. The activity of our FlexApps was previously included in our U.S. Land segment. All segment disclosures have been restated, as practicable, for these segment changes. Our real estate operations, our incubator program for new research and development projects, and our wholly owned captive insurance companies are included in "Other". Consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of intercompany transactions. Each reportable operating segment is a strategic business unit that is managed separately, and consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions. Other includes additional non-reportable operating segments. External revenues included in “Other” primarily consist of rental income. Segment Performance We evaluate segment performance based on income or loss from continuing operations (segment operating income) before income taxes which includes: • Revenues from external and internal customers • Direct operating costs • Depreciation and amortization • Allocated general and administrative costs • Asset impairment charges but excludes gain on sale of assets and corporate selling, general and administrative costs and corporate depreciation. General and administrative costs are allocated to the segments based primarily on specific identification and, to the extent that such identification is not practical, on other methods which we believe to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided. Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the following tables: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands) U.S. Land Offshore International Land H&P Technologies Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 530,664 $ 33,079 $ 51,250 $ 15,297 $ 3,349 $ — $ 633,639 Intersegment — — — 2,412 10,649 (13,061 ) — Total Sales 530,664 33,079 51,250 17,709 13,998 (13,061 ) 633,639 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (309,093 ) (3,319 ) (152,469 ) (33,574 ) 376 — (498,079 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) U.S. Land (1) Offshore International Land H&P Technologies (1) Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 617,533 $ 34,583 $ 50,808 $ 14,729 $ 3,215 $ — $ 720,868 Intersegment — — — — — — — Total Sales 617,533 34,583 50,808 14,729 3,215 — 720,868 Segment Operating Income (Loss) 102,015 4,531 7,968 (3,808 ) 1,164 — 111,870 (1) Prior period information has been restated to reflect the transfer of FlexApp revenue and the related costs from U.S. Land to H&P Technologies. Certain FlexApp revenue not separately priced in drilling contracts, and recorded in the U.S. Land segment, was impracticable to retrospectively quantify, and as such was not restated. Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the following tables: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands) U.S. Land Offshore International Land H&P Technologies Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 1,039,492 $ 73,334 $ 97,712 $ 31,150 $ 6,608 $ — $ 1,248,296 Intersegment — — — 5,111 18,545 (23,656 ) — Total Sales 1,039,492 73,334 97,712 36,261 25,153 (23,656 ) 1,248,296 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (252,403 ) 3,009 (149,354 ) (38,125 ) (705 ) — (437,578 ) Six Months Ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) U.S. Land (1) Offshore International Land H&P Technologies (1) Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 1,236,958 $ 71,493 $ 117,095 $ 29,465 $ 6,455 $ — $ 1,461,466 Intersegment — — — — — — — Total Sales 1,236,958 71,493 117,095 29,465 6,455 — 1,461,466 Segment Operating Income (Loss) 177,928 11,699 14,597 (10,397 ) 2,718 — 196,545 (1) Prior period information has been restated to reflect the transfer of FlexApp revenue and the related costs from U.S. Land to H&P Technologies. Certain FlexApp revenue not separately priced in drilling contracts, and recorded in the U.S. Land segment, was impracticable to retrospectively quantify, and as such was not restated. The following table reconciles segment operating income per the tables above to income from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Segment operating income $ (498,079 ) $ 111,870 $ (437,578 ) $ 196,545 Gain on sale of assets 10,310 11,546 14,589 17,090 Corporate selling, general and administrative costs and corporate depreciation (30,772 ) (28,270 ) (64,184 ) (64,200 ) Operating income (loss) from continuing operations (518,541 ) 95,146 (487,173 ) 149,435 Other income (expense) Interest and dividend income 3,566 2,061 5,780 4,512 Interest expense (6,095 ) (6,167 ) (12,195 ) (10,888 ) Gain (loss) on investment securities (12,413 ) 5,878 (9,592 ) (36,957 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary — — 14,963 — Other (398 ) 17 (797 ) 548 Total unallocated amounts (15,340 ) 1,789 (1,841 ) (42,785 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ (533,881 ) $ 96,935 $ (489,014 ) $ 106,650 The following table presents total assets by reportable segment: (in thousands) March 31, September 30, Total assets (1) U.S. Land $ 4,158,450 $ 5,099,583 Offshore 111,116 102,442 International Land 179,170 217,094 H&P Technologies 151,577 184,558 Other 42,503 32,532 4,642,816 5,636,209 Investments and corporate operations 533,938 203,306 Total assets from continuing operations 5,176,754 5,839,515 Discontinued operations — — $ 5,176,754 $ 5,839,515 (1) Assets by segment exclude investments in subsidiaries and intersegment activity. The following table presents revenues from external customers by country based on the location of service provided: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Operating revenues United States $ 581,520 $ 669,424 $ 1,148,335 $ 1,343,425 Argentina 29,682 41,084 70,291 82,689 Bahrain 10,383 2,526 15,067 5,054 United Arab Emirates 6,280 — 6,453 4,728 Colombia 4,905 7,198 5,901 24,624 Other Foreign 869 636 2,249 946 Total $ 633,639 $ 720,868 $ 1,248,296 $ 1,461,466 Refer to Note 11—Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information regarding the recognition of revenue upon adoption of ASC 606.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	NOTE 18 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent to March 31, 2020, we decommissioned two rigs and 35 rigs from our legacy Domestic Conventional asset group and FlexRig3 asset group, respectively. The decommissioned rigs were impaired as of March 31, 2020 (Refer to Note 5—Property, Plant and Equipment ). While the crude oil market imbalance is a global phenomenon, it has more acutely impacted the U.S. market as a result of storage limitations subsequent to March 31, 2020. The abruptness of and the overall size of the decrease in demand for refined products, such as gasoline and diesel, has created an abundance of supply for such products causing the inventory levels of crude oil and its related refined products to become greatly elevated reaching the high end of storage capabilities. This has greatly reduced the need, or in some cases, entirely eliminated the ability of refineries to use crude oil as a feedstock. As such, E&P companies, our customers, may have limited opportunities to offload their production and even then, the selling price could be at very low, uneconomical prices. Consequently, some E&P companies have chosen to shut-in and stop production, not complete additional wells drilled and/or even drill any more wells until the market imbalance corrects and it is economical to once again resume production and drilling wells. Subsequent to March 31, 2020, we have received additional rig release notifications, which will result in additional early termination and notification fee revenue. The total impact of the early termination revenue and notification fee revenue related to these rig release notifications received subsequent to March 31, 2020 on future periods is approximately $27.0 million .

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Interim Financial Information	Interim Financial Information The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pertaining to interim financial information. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all information or footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other current filings with the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the results of the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods presented may not necessarily be indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Approximately $294.6 million of cash and cash equivalents resides in accounts in the United States and the remaining $41.5 million are in other countries. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits. We had restricted cash of $44.1 million and $34.2 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and $35.0 million and $41.8 million at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Of the total at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 , $1.9 million and $3.0 million , respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $2.0 million as of both fiscal period ends is from the additional capitalization of our wholly-owned captive insurance company, $39.1 million and $30.0 million , respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies, and $1.1 million at March 31, 2020 is for other restricted purposes. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in federally insured deposit accounts.
Leases	Leases We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 1 to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes. Up until the end of fiscal year 2019, leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as either finance or operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease (“levelized lease cost”). Beginning October 1, 2019, leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability within accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Company. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is recognized over the lease period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis for finance type leases and as the difference between the levelized lease cost and the finance cost for operating leases. Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments: • Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable • Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate • Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees • The exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and • Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost and are comprised of the following: • The amount of the initial measurement of lease liability • Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received • Any initial direct costs, and • Asset retirement obligations related to that lease, as applicable. Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets are comprised of IT-equipment and office furniture.
Recently Issued Accounting Updates	Recently Issued Accounting Updates Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company. The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements: Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs issued subsequent ASU No. 2016-02 requires organizations that lease assets — referred to as “lessees” — to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP. In addition, disclosures of leasing activities are to be expanded to include qualitative along with specific quantitative information. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method of adoption with an option to use certain practical expedients. October 1, 2019 We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, as required. Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information. ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract This ASU aims to reduce complexity in the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments in this update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. October 1, 2019 We early adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis. The prospective impact was not material to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2020 ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income(loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. October 1, 2020 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2020. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Self-Insurance	<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;"><br clear="none"/></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;">Self-Insurance</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-indent:48px;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">$1 million</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;"> to </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;">$10 million</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;"> per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability claims and claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters' estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our domestic casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.</font></div></div>
International Land Drilling Risks	International Land Drilling Risks International Land drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our international land operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, we are paid in Argentine pesos. The Argentine branch of one of our second-tier subsidiaries remits U.S. dollars to its U.S. parent by converting the Argentine pesos into U.S. dollars through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market and repatriating the U.S. dollars. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars, including controls that were implemented in September 2019 and are presently in effect. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. As of March 31, 2020 , our cash balance in Argentina was $33.7 million . In the past the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , we experienced aggregate foreign currency losses of $3.4 million and $2.8 million , respectively. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , we recorded aggregate foreign currency losses of $0.7 million and $4.6 million , respectively. In the future, we may incur larger currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars from Argentina or elsewhere, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because of the impact of local laws, our future operations in certain areas may be conducted through entities in which local citizens own interests and through entities (including joint ventures) in which we hold only a minority interest or pursuant to arrangements under which we conduct operations under contract to local entities. While we believe that neither operating through such entities nor pursuant to such arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our operations or revenues, there can be no assurance that we will in all cases be able to structure or restructure our operations to conform to local law (or the administration thereof) on terms acceptable to us. Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , approximately 8.2 percent and 8.0 percent , respectively, of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our contract drilling business compared to 7.1 percent and 8.1 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 , approximately 66.4 percent and 76.2 percent , respectively, of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America compared to 93.9 percent and 90.9 percent during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 , respectively. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. The future occurrence of one or more international events arising from the types of risks described above could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	The restricted cash and cash equivalents are reflected within the following line items on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: March 31, September 30, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 Cash $ 336,089 $ 243,912 $ 347,943 $ 284,355 Restricted Cash Prepaid expenses and other 40,744 30,363 31,291 39,830 Other assets 3,386 3,832 3,737 2,000 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 380,219 $ 278,107 $ 382,971 $ 326,185
Description of Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Analysis of the Effects on the Financial Statements	The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements: Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs issued subsequent ASU No. 2016-02 requires organizations that lease assets — referred to as “lessees” — to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP. In addition, disclosures of leasing activities are to be expanded to include qualitative along with specific quantitative information. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method of adoption with an option to use certain practical expedients. October 1, 2019 We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, as required. Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information. ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract This ASU aims to reduce complexity in the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments in this update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. October 1, 2019 We early adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis. The prospective impact was not material to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2020 ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income(loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. October 1, 2020 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2020. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet on October 1, 2019: (in thousands) September 30, 2019 Adjustments October 1, 2019 Other Noncurrent Assets: Operating lease right-of-use asset $ — $ 56,071 $ 56,071 Current Liabilities: Accrued liabilities — 16,277 16,277 Noncurrent Liabilities: Other — 39,794 39,794

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 consisted of the following: (in thousands) Estimated Useful Lives March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Contract drilling services equipment 4 - 15 years $ 7,330,789 $ 7,881,323 Tubulars 4 years 615,238 618,310 Real estate properties 10 - 45 years 72,517 72,507 Other 2 - 23 years 474,148 471,803 Construction in progress (1) 71,252 117,761 8,563,944 9,161,704 Accumulated depreciation (4,723,731 ) (4,659,620 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 3,840,213 $ 4,502,084 (1) Included in construction in progress are costs for projects in progress to upgrade or refurbish certain rigs in our existing fleet. Additionally, we include other capital maintenance purchase-orders that are open/in process. As these various projects are completed, the costs are then classified to their appropriate useful life category.

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Effect of the Change in Accounting Policy	The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements: Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related ASUs issued subsequent ASU No. 2016-02 requires organizations that lease assets — referred to as “lessees” — to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP. In addition, disclosures of leasing activities are to be expanded to include qualitative along with specific quantitative information. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method of adoption with an option to use certain practical expedients. October 1, 2019 We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, as required. Refer to Note 6—Leases for additional information. ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract This ASU aims to reduce complexity in the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments in this update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. October 1, 2019 We early adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis. The prospective impact was not material to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Standards that are not yet adopted as of March 31, 2020 ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income(loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. October 1, 2020 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2020. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. October 1, 2021 We are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet on October 1, 2019: (in thousands) September 30, 2019 Adjustments October 1, 2019 Other Noncurrent Assets: Operating lease right-of-use asset $ — $ 56,071 $ 56,071 Current Liabilities: Accrued liabilities — 16,277 16,277 Noncurrent Liabilities: Other — 39,794 39,794
Lease Position and Recognized Right-of-Use Assets	(in thousands) October 1, 2019 March 31, 2020 Operating lease commitments disclosed 62,218 53,998 Discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application 57,323 49,822 (Less): short-term leases recognized on a straight-line basis as expense (1,252 ) (1,092 ) Lease liability recognized $ 56,071 $ 48,730 Of which: Current lease liabilities $ 16,277 $ 13,412 Non-current lease liabilities 39,794 35,318 The recognized right-of-use assets relate to the following types of assets: (in thousands) October 1, 2019 March 31, 2020 Properties $ 52,188 $ 45,123 Equipment 3,652 2,945 Other 231 662 Total right-of-use assets $ 56,071 $ 48,730
Certain Information Related to Lease Costs and Other Information Related to Operating Leases	The following table presents certain information related to the lease costs for our operating leases: (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Operating lease cost $ 4,286 $ 8,557 Short-term lease cost 462 1,069 Total lease cost $ 4,748 $ 9,626 Lease Terms and Discount Rates The table below presents certain information related to the weighted average remaining lease terms and weighted average discount rates for our operating leases as of March 31, 2020 . March 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term 9.4 Weighted average discount rate 2.9 %
Future Minimum Rental Payments Required under Operating Leases	Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2020 (in thousands) are as follows: Fiscal Year Amount 2020 $ 9,279 2021 10,017 2022 8,653 2023 7,707 2024 7,258 Thereafter 11,084 Total $ 53,998

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following is a summary of changes in goodwill (in thousands): Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 82,786 Additions 1,200 Impairment (38,333 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 45,653
Intangible Assets Arising from Business Acquisitions	Intangible assets consisted of the following: March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangible asset: Developed technology 15 years $ 89,096 $ 13,331 $ 75,765 $ 89,096 $ 10,256 $ 78,840 Intellectual property 13 years 1,500 47 1,453 — — — Trade name 20 years 5,865 683 5,182 5,865 522 5,343 Customer relationships 5 years 4,000 1,867 2,133 4,000 1,467 2,533 $ 100,461 $ 15,928 $ 84,533 $ 98,961 $ 12,245 $ 86,716

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Unsecured Long-Term Debt Outstanding	We had the following unsecured long-term debt outstanding with maturities shown in the following table: March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 (in thousands) Face Amount Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost Book Value Face Amount Unamortized Book Value Unsecured senior notes: Due March 19, 2025 $ 487,148 $ (7,337 ) $ 479,811 $ 487,148 $ (7,792 ) $ 479,356 487,148 (7,337 ) 479,811 487,148 (7,792 ) 479,356 Less long-term debt due within one year — — — — — — Long-term debt $ 487,148 $ (7,337 ) $ 479,811 $ 487,148 $ (7,792 ) $ 479,356

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows: (in thousands) March 31, September 30, Pre-tax amounts: Unrealized actuarial loss $ (35,746 ) $ (37,084 ) $ (35,746 ) $ (37,084 ) After-tax amounts: Unrealized actuarial loss $ (27,603 ) $ (28,635 ) $ (27,603 ) $ (28,635 )
Summary of the Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, by Component	The following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, related to the defined benefit pension plan for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 : (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 Balance at beginning of period $ (28,119 ) $ (28,635 ) Activity during the period Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 516 1,032 Net current-period other comprehensive income 516 1,032 Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (27,603 ) $ (27,603 )

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_2

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities	The following tables summarize the balances of our contract assets and liabilities: (in thousands) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Contract assets $ 2,270 $ 2,151 (in thousands) March 31, 2020 Contract liabilities balance at September 30, 2019 $ 23,354 Payment received/accrued and deferred 13,594 Revenue recognized during the period (24,050 ) Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2020 $ 12,898

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Summary of Compensation Cost for Stock-Based Payment Arrangements	A summary of compensation cost for stock-based payment arrangements recognized in contract drilling services operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Stock-based compensation expense Stock options $ 416 $ 938 $ 987 $ 2,354 Restricted stock 8,273 6,861 15,643 12,603 Performance share units 2,062 1,632 4,322 1,632 $ 10,751 $ 9,431 $ 20,952 $ 16,589
Summary of Stock Option Activity	A summary of stock option activity under all existing long-term incentive plans for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 is presented in the following tables: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts and years) Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2019 3,028 $ 62.44 Exercised — — Forfeited/Expired — — Outstanding at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44 5.05 $ — Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44 5.05 $ — Exercisable at March 31, 2020 2,633 $ 62.44 4.68 $ — Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts and years) Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at September 30, 2019 3,238 $ 60.86 Exercised (202) 38.02 Forfeited/Expired (8) 39.37 Outstanding at March 31, 2020 3,028 $ 62.44
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Units and Changes in Restricted Stock and Performance Share Units Outstanding	A summary of the status of our performance share units as of March 31, 2020 and changes in non-vested performance share units outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Non-vested performance share units outstanding at September 30, 2019 145 $ 62.66 Granted 259 43.40 Non-vested performance share units outstanding at March 31, 2020 404 $ 50.31 A summary of the status of our restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2020 and changes in non-vested restricted stock outstanding during the six months then ended is presented below: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2019 1,085 $ 61.28 Granted 781 39.99 Vested (1) (415 ) 62.15 Forfeited (15 ) 50.75 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2020 1,436 $ 49.56 (1) The number of restricted stock awards vested includes shares that we withheld on behalf of our employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Calculation of the Fair Value of Awards	The weighted-average fair value calculation for performance share units granted during the six months ended March 31, 2020 is based on the following weighted-average assumptions set forth in the table below. Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 Risk-free interest rate (1) 1.6 % Expected stock volatility (2) 34.8 % Expected term (in years) 3.2 (1) The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities for the expected term of the performance share units. (2) Expected volatilities are based on the daily closing price of our stock based upon historical experience over a period which approximates the expected term of the performance share units.

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON _2

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (420,468 ) $ 71,857 $ (389,739 ) $ 80,221 Loss from discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) Net income (loss) (420,540 ) 60,891 (389,935 ) 79,850 Adjustment for basic earnings per share Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders (1,003 ) (784 ) (1,994 ) (1,560 ) Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations (421,471 ) 71,073 (391,733 ) 78,661 From discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) (421,543 ) 60,107 (391,929 ) 78,290 Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share: Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders — — — — Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: From continuing operations (421,471 ) 71,073 (391,733 ) 78,661 From discontinued operations (72 ) (10,966 ) (196 ) (371 ) $ (421,543 ) $ 60,107 $ (391,929 ) $ 78,290 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 108,557 109,406 108,556 109,273 Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance share units — 97 — 179 Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares 108,557 109,503 108,556 109,452 Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (3.88 ) $ 0.65 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Loss from discontinued operations — (0.10 ) — — Net income (loss) $ (3.88 ) $ 0.55 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (3.88 ) $ 0.65 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72 Loss from discontinued operations — (0.10 ) — — Net income (loss) $ (3.88 ) $ 0.55 $ (3.61 ) $ 0.72
Shares Attributable to Outstanding Equity Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following average shares attributable to outstanding equity awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share 4,579 2,921 3,579 2,770 Weighted-average price per share $ 58.03 $ 64.04 $ 60.55 $ 64.18

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value	The following table summarizes our assets and liabilities measured at fair value presented in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 : (in thousands) Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Recurring fair value measurements: Short-term investments: Certificates of deposit $ 6,545 $ — $ 6,545 $ — Corporate and municipal debt securities 18,985 — 18,985 — U.S. government and federal agency securities 20,125 20,125 — — Total short-term investments 45,655 20,125 25,530 — Cash and cash equivalents 336,089 336,089 — — Investments 6,650 6,307 343 — Other current assets 40,744 40,744 — — Other assets 3,386 3,386 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 432,524 $ 406,651 $ 25,873 $ — Liabilities: Contingent earnout liability $ 11,823 $ — $ — $ 11,823
Reconciliation of Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3	The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net liabilities at beginning of period $ 19,873 $ 12,147 $ 18,373 $ 11,160 Additions — — 1,500 673 Total gains or losses: Included in earnings (3,800 ) (3,132 ) (3,800 ) (2,818 ) Settlements (1) (4,250 ) — (4,250 ) — Net liabilities at March 31, $ 11,823 $ 9,015 $ 11,823 $ 9,015 (1) Settlements represent earnout payments that have been paid or earned during the period.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Unobservable Inputs	The following table provides quantitative information (in thousands) about our Level 3 unobservable inputs at March 31, 2020 : Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average (1) $500 Monte Carlo simulation Discount rate 4.5 % Revenue Volatility 30.6 % Risk free rate 1.2 % $11,323 Probability Analysis Discount rate 5.0 % Payment amounts $3,000 - $7,000 $ 5,400 Probabilities 40% - 60% 53 % (1) The weighted average of the payment amounts and the probabilities (Level 3 unobservable inputs), associated with the contingent consideration valued using probability analysis, were weighted by the relative undiscounted fair value of payment amounts and of probability payment amounts, respectively.
Supplemental Fair Value Information about Long-Term Fixed-Rate Debt	The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 : (in millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt $ 479.8 $ 479.4 Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt 494.3 526.4

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following provides information at March 31, 2020 and 2019 , related to the Company-sponsored domestic defined benefit pension plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “Pension Plan”): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest cost $ 1,097 $ 1,097 $ 2,194 $ 2,194 Expected return on plan assets (1,381 ) (1,386 ) (2,762 ) (2,772 ) Recognized net actuarial loss 669 291 1,338 583 Net pension expense $ 385 $ 2 $ 770 $ 5

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAP_2

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Information of Reportable Segments	Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the following tables: Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands) U.S. Land Offshore International Land H&P Technologies Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 530,664 $ 33,079 $ 51,250 $ 15,297 $ 3,349 $ — $ 633,639 Intersegment — — — 2,412 10,649 (13,061 ) — Total Sales 530,664 33,079 51,250 17,709 13,998 (13,061 ) 633,639 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (309,093 ) (3,319 ) (152,469 ) (33,574 ) 376 — (498,079 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) U.S. Land (1) Offshore International Land H&P Technologies (1) Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 617,533 $ 34,583 $ 50,808 $ 14,729 $ 3,215 $ — $ 720,868 Intersegment — — — — — — — Total Sales 617,533 34,583 50,808 14,729 3,215 — 720,868 Segment Operating Income (Loss) 102,015 4,531 7,968 (3,808 ) 1,164 — 111,870 (1) Prior period information has been restated to reflect the transfer of FlexApp revenue and the related costs from U.S. Land to H&P Technologies. Certain FlexApp revenue not separately priced in drilling contracts, and recorded in the U.S. Land segment, was impracticable to retrospectively quantify, and as such was not restated. Summarized financial information of our reportable segments for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is shown in the following tables: Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 (in thousands) U.S. Land Offshore International Land H&P Technologies Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 1,039,492 $ 73,334 $ 97,712 $ 31,150 $ 6,608 $ — $ 1,248,296 Intersegment — — — 5,111 18,545 (23,656 ) — Total Sales 1,039,492 73,334 97,712 36,261 25,153 (23,656 ) 1,248,296 Segment Operating Income (Loss) (252,403 ) 3,009 (149,354 ) (38,125 ) (705 ) — (437,578 ) Six Months Ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) U.S. Land (1) Offshore International Land H&P Technologies (1) Other Eliminations Total External Sales $ 1,236,958 $ 71,493 $ 117,095 $ 29,465 $ 6,455 $ — $ 1,461,466 Intersegment — — — — — — — Total Sales 1,236,958 71,493 117,095 29,465 6,455 — 1,461,466 Segment Operating Income (Loss) 177,928 11,699 14,597 (10,397 ) 2,718 — 196,545 (1) Prior period information has been restated to reflect the transfer of FlexApp revenue and the related costs from U.S. Land to H&P Technologies. Certain FlexApp revenue not separately priced in drilling contracts, and recorded in the U.S. Land segment, was impracticable to retrospectively quantify, and as such was not restated.
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	The following table reconciles segment operating income per the tables above to income from continuing operations before income taxes as reported on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Segment operating income $ (498,079 ) $ 111,870 $ (437,578 ) $ 196,545 Gain on sale of assets 10,310 11,546 14,589 17,090 Corporate selling, general and administrative costs and corporate depreciation (30,772 ) (28,270 ) (64,184 ) (64,200 ) Operating income (loss) from continuing operations (518,541 ) 95,146 (487,173 ) 149,435 Other income (expense) Interest and dividend income 3,566 2,061 5,780 4,512 Interest expense (6,095 ) (6,167 ) (12,195 ) (10,888 ) Gain (loss) on investment securities (12,413 ) 5,878 (9,592 ) (36,957 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary — — 14,963 — Other (398 ) 17 (797 ) 548 Total unallocated amounts (15,340 ) 1,789 (1,841 ) (42,785 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ (533,881 ) $ 96,935 $ (489,014 ) $ 106,650
Total Assets by Reportable Segment	The following table presents total assets by reportable segment: (in thousands) March 31, September 30, Total assets (1) U.S. Land $ 4,158,450 $ 5,099,583 Offshore 111,116 102,442 International Land 179,170 217,094 H&P Technologies 151,577 184,558 Other 42,503 32,532 4,642,816 5,636,209 Investments and corporate operations 533,938 203,306 Total assets from continuing operations 5,176,754 5,839,515 Discontinued operations — — $ 5,176,754 $ 5,839,515 (1) Assets by segment exclude investments in subsidiaries and intersegment activity.
Revenues from External Customers by Country	The following table presents revenues from external customers by country based on the location of service provided: Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Operating revenues United States $ 581,520 $ 669,424 $ 1,148,335 $ 1,343,425 Argentina 29,682 41,084 70,291 82,689 Bahrain 10,383 2,526 15,067 5,054 United Arab Emirates 6,280 — 6,453 4,728 Colombia 4,905 7,198 5,901 24,624 Other Foreign 869 636 2,249 946 Total $ 633,639 $ 720,868 $ 1,248,296 $ 1,461,466

NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Details)

NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)location	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of international locations | location				4
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary				$ 15,056	$ 0
Gain on sale of subsidiary		$ 0	$ 0	$ 14,963	$ 0
TerraVici | Disposed of by Sale
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percent of outstanding capital stock transferred to the purchaser	100.00%
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	$ 15,100
Gain on sale of subsidiary	$ 15,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)greographical_area	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	$ 381,700,000		$ 381,700,000
Cash and cash equivalents	336,089,000	$ 243,912,000	336,089,000	$ 243,912,000	$ 347,943,000	$ 284,355,000
Restricted cash	44,100,000	34,200,000	44,100,000	34,200,000	35,000,000	$ 41,800,000
Restricted cash from initial capitalization of captive insurance company	2,000,000		2,000,000		2,000,000
Additional cash restricted at the election of management for potential insurance claims	39,100,000		39,100,000		30,000,000
Restricted cash from other purposes	1,100,000		1,100,000
Underwriting expenses	6,000,000		$ 14,700,000
Cumulative inflation rate before a country is considered highly inflationary (as a percent)			100.00%
Aggregate foreign currency gain (loss)	$ (3,400,000)	$ (700,000)	$ (2,800,000)	$ (4,600,000)
Stop-loss program, maximum amount of claim			$ 50,000
Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Rental contract period	1 year		1 year
Insurance coverage deductibles range for claims which occur outside or inside the United States			$ 1,000,000
Number of geographical areas operating in (more than) | greographical_area			1
Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Rental contract period	15 years		15 years
Insurance coverage deductibles range for claims which occur outside or inside the United States			$ 10,000,000
Intercompany Eliminations
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Premium revenues and expenses	$ 10,500,000		18,200,000
United States
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	294,600,000		294,600,000
International Locations
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 41,500,000		$ 41,500,000
International Locations | Operating Revenue | Geographic Concentration Risk
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	8.20%	7.10%	8.00%	8.10%
Argentina
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash	$ 33,700,000		$ 33,700,000
International Land | South America | International Locations | Segment Operating Revenue | Geographic Concentration Risk
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	66.40%	93.90%	76.20%	90.90%
Acquisition of Drilling Technology Companies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 1,900,000		$ 1,900,000		$ 3,000,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash	$ 336,089	$ 347,943	$ 243,912	$ 284,355
Restricted Cash	44,100	35,000	34,200	41,800
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	380,219	382,971	278,107	326,185
Prepaid expenses and other
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted Cash	40,744	31,291	30,363	39,830
Other assets
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted Cash	$ 3,386	$ 3,737	$ 3,832	$ 2,000

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details)

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 21, 2019	Nov. 01, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 45,653	$ 45,653	$ 82,786
DrillScan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration given	$ 32,700
Contingent consideration	17,700
Fair value of total assets acquired	36,300
Fair value of total liabilities assumed	3,600
Goodwill	14,900
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 19,100
Increase in goodwill			$ 1,200	$ 1,200
AJC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration given		$ 3,400
Goodwill		$ 3,100

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Detail

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020zeroBs. / $	Sep. 30, 2018Bs. / $
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Foreign exchange rate (in bolivars per dollar)		10
Number of zeros eliminated from the old currency | zero	5
DICOM floating rate (in bolivars per dollar)	80,946

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 8,563,944	$ 9,161,704
Accumulated depreciation	(4,723,731)	(4,659,620)
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,840,213	4,502,084
Contract drilling services equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 7,330,789	7,881,323
Contract drilling services equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Contract drilling services equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Tubulars
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	4 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 615,238	618,310
Real estate properties
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 72,517	72,507
Real estate properties | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Real estate properties | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	45 years
Other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 474,148	471,803
Other | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Other | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	23 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 71,252	$ 117,761

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT_2

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 130,200	$ 141,700	$ 258,500	$ 281,700
Abandonments included in depreciation	900	4,400	1,700	5,400
Gain on sale of assets	10,310	$ 11,546	14,589	$ 17,090
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,840,213		3,840,213		$ 4,502,084
Domestic And International Conventional, FlexRig3, And FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	605,800		605,800
Tangible asset impairment charges	441,400		441,400
In-Process Drilling Equipment And Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges			83,500
In-Process Drilling Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	68,400		68,400
Tangible asset impairment charges	44,900		44,900
Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	38,600		38,600
Tangible asset impairment charges	$ 38,600		38,600
U.S. Land | Domestic And International Conventional, FlexRig3, And FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges			292,400
U.S. Land | In-Process Drilling Equipment And Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges			75,800
International Land | Domestic And International Conventional, FlexRig3, And FlexRig4 Asset Groups
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges			149,000
International Land | In-Process Drilling Equipment And Rotational Inventory
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Tangible asset impairment charges			$ 7,700

LEASES - Narrative (Details)

LEASES - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)renewal_option	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)renewal_option	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to operating lease liabilities	2.90%		2.90%		2.90%
Rent expense | $	$ 4.7	$ 4	$ 9.6	$ 7.7
Tulsa Corporate Office Lease
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of renewal options	2		2
Renewal option term	5 years		5 years
Tulsa Industrial Facility Lease
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of renewal options	2		2
Renewal option term	2 years		2 years

LEASES - Effect of the Change i

LEASES - Effect of the Change in Accounting Policy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Other Noncurrent Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use asset	$ 48,730	$ 56,071	$ 0
Current Liabilities:
Accrued liabilities	13,412	16,277
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Other	$ 35,318	39,794
Adjustments
Other Noncurrent Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use asset		56,071
Current Liabilities:
Accrued liabilities		16,277
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Other		$ 39,794

LEASES - Lease Position (Detail

LEASES - Lease Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease commitments disclosed	$ 53,998	$ 62,218
Discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application	49,822	57,323
(Less): short-term leases recognized on a straight-line basis as expense	(1,092)	(1,252)
Lease liability recognized	48,730	56,071
Current lease liabilities	13,412	16,277
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 35,318	$ 39,794

LEASES - Recognized Right-of-Us

LEASES - Recognized Right-of-Use Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets	$ 48,730	$ 56,071	$ 0
Properties
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets	45,123	52,188
Equipment
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets	2,945	3,652
Other
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets	$ 662	$ 231

LEASES - Certain Information Re

LEASES - Certain Information Related to Lease Costs for Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 4,286	$ 8,557
Short-term lease cost	462	1,069
Total lease cost	$ 4,748	$ 9,626

LEASES - Other Information Rela

LEASES - Other Information Related to Operating Leases (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining lease term	9 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average discount rate	2.90%	2.90%

LEASES - Future Minimum Rental

LEASES - Future Minimum Rental Payments Required under Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
2020	$ 9,279
2021	10,017
2022	8,653
2023	7,707
2024	7,258
Thereafter	11,084
Total	$ 53,998	$ 62,218

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 82,786
Additions		1,200
Impairment	$ (38,300)	(38,333)
Ending balance	$ 45,653	$ 45,653

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets Arising from Business Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 100,461	$ 98,961
Accumulated Amortization	15,928	12,245
Net	$ 84,533	86,716
Developed technology
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	15 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 89,096	89,096
Accumulated Amortization	13,331	10,256
Net	$ 75,765	78,840
Intellectual property
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	13 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,500	0
Accumulated Amortization	47	0
Net	$ 1,453	0
Trade name
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 5,865	5,865
Accumulated Amortization	683	522
Net	$ 5,182	5,343
Customer relationships
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,000	4,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,867	1,467
Net	$ 2,133	$ 2,533

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET_4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 21, 2019USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 45,653		$ 45,653		$ 82,786
Amortization expense	1,800	$ 1,400	3,700	$ 2,800
Expected amortization in 2020	3,600		3,600
Expected amortization in 2021	7,200		7,200
Expected amortization in 2022	7,200		7,200
Expected amortization in 2023	6,500		6,500
Expected amortization in 2024	6,400		6,400
Impairments of goodwill	38,300		38,333
DrillScan
Goodwill [Line Items]
Increase in goodwill	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Goodwill						$ 14,900
H&P Technologies | Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow | Measurement Input, Discount Rate
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit, measurement input			0.14

DEBT - Components of Unsecured

DEBT - Components of Unsecured Long-Term Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Long-term debt, gross
Face Amount	$ 487,148	$ 487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(7,337)	(7,792)
Book Value	479,811	479,356
Less long-term debt due within one year
Face Amount	0	0
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	0	0
Book Value	0	0
Long-term debt
Face Amount	487,148	487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(7,337)	(7,792)
Book Value	479,811	479,356
HPIDC 2025 Notes
Long-term debt, gross
Face Amount	487,148	487,148
Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Cost	(7,337)	(7,792)
Book Value	479,811	479,356
Long-term debt
Face Amount	$ 487,148	$ 487,148

DEBT - Narrative (Details)

DEBT - Narrative (Details)	Nov. 13, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)number_of_letters_of_credit	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 20, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 19, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount		$ 487,148,000	$ 487,148,000
Aggregate principal amount		$ 479,811,000	$ 479,356,000
Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of letters of credit outstanding | number_of_letters_of_credit		2
HPIDC 2025 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt						$ 500,000,000
Interest rate						4.65%
Debt redemption amount				$ 14,600,000
Company 2025 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate					4.65%
Aggregate principal amount				$ 12,900,000	$ 12,900,000
Company 2025 Notes | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt					$ 500,000,000
2018 Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 750,000,000
Increase in aggregate commitments subject to satisfaction of certain commitments from new or existing lenders	$ 300,000,000
Maximum limit of priority debt on net worth	17.50%
Borrowings outstanding		$ 0
Available borrowing capacity		750,000,000
2018 Credit Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee rate	0.075%
2018 Credit Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee rate	0.20%
Total debt to total capitalization ratio	50.00%
2018 Credit Facility | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread	0.875%
2018 Credit Facility | LIBOR | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate spread	1.50%
2018 Credit Facility | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000,000
Letter of Credit - Instrument 1 | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		24,800,000
Letter of Credit - Instrument 2 | Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding		2,100,000
Unsecured Standalone Line of Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		20,000,000
Borrowings outstanding		$ 14,300,000

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$ (113,413)	$ 25,078	$ (99,275)	$ 26,429
Effective tax rate	21.20%	25.90%	20.30%	24.80%
Income taxes paid			$ 43,500
Prepaid income taxes	$ 17,800		17,800
Tax Year 2019 [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Income taxes paid			$ 21,500

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Narrativ

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Mar. 04, 2020	Mar. 02, 2020	Dec. 13, 2019	Dec. 02, 2019	Sep. 04, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Number of common shares authorized to be repurchased (up to) (in shares)						4,000,000,000,000				4,000,000,000,000
Purchases of common shares (in shares)						1,500,000				1,500,000	0
Purchases of common shares, value						$ 28.5				$ 28.5
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71		$ 0.71		$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71	$ 0.71
Cash dividends paid (in dollars per share)		$ 0.71		$ 0.71
Dividends payable						$ 77.3				$ 77.3

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Componen

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (27,603)	$ (28,635)
Unrealized Actuarial Loss
Pre-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(35,746)	(37,084)
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(27,603)	(28,635)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Pre-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(35,746)	(37,084)
After-tax amounts:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (27,603)	$ (28,635)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Summary of the Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 3,975,537	$ 4,012,223	$ 4,326,238	$ 4,382,735	$ 4,012,223	$ 4,382,735
Other comprehensive income	516	516	224	225	1,032	449
Balance	3,461,006	3,975,537	$ 4,318,620	$ 4,326,238	3,461,006	$ 4,318,620
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	(28,119)	(28,635)			(28,635)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	516				1,032
Other comprehensive income	516				1,032
Balance	$ (27,603)	$ (28,119)			$ (27,603)

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_3

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)month	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract drilling services	$ 630,290	$ 717,653	$ 1,241,688	$ 1,455,011
Early termination revenue	8,200	1,200	8,300	8,300
Capitalized cost	9,900		$ 9,900		$ 13,900
Number of months of unsatisfied performance obligations represent in our backlog relating to contract that currently contain month-to-month terms | month			1
Notification Fee
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract drilling services	$ 2,200	$ 300	$ 2,100	$ 300

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_4

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 837.6
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-04-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 413.1
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	6 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 312.1
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	12 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-10-01
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, amount	$ 112.4
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	12 months

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_5

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Summary of Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 2,270	$ 2,151
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Contract liabilities balance at beginning of period	23,354
Payment received/accrued and deferred	13,594
Revenue recognized during the period	(24,050)
Contract liabilities balance at period end	$ 12,898

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Narr

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)componenttrancheshares	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 10,751	$ 9,431	$ 20,952	$ 16,589
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of units vested			0.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of units vested			200.00%
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	416	938	$ 987	2,354
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		100	300	7,700
Unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options	2,300		$ 2,300
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized			1 year 7 months 6 days
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	8,273	6,861	$ 15,643	12,603
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized			2 years 7 months 6 days
Vesting period			4 years
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-option awards	49,700		$ 49,700
Performance Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,062	1,632	$ 4,322	1,632
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized			2 years
Vesting period			3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-option awards	11,600		$ 11,600
Performance components | component			2
Performance Share Units - First Component
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Period over which awards expire			3 years
Performance Share Units - Second Component
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Period over which awards expire			3 years
Number of tranches | tranche			3
Performance cycle period of each tranche			1 year
Contract Drilling Services Operating Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,900	1,800	$ 5,300	3,400
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,900	$ 7,600	$ 15,700	$ 13,200
2016 Plan | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares) | shares			0
2016 Plan | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares) | shares			727,009
2016 Plan | Performance Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares) | shares			258,857
2020 Plan | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted (in shares) | shares			54,118

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summ

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of Compensation Cost for Stock-Based Payment Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 10,751	$ 9,431	$ 20,952	$ 16,589
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	416	938	987	2,354
Restricted stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	8,273	6,861	15,643	12,603
Performance share units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,062	$ 1,632	$ 4,322	$ 1,632

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Su_2

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Shares
Outstanding (in shares)	3,028	3,238	3,238
Exercised (in shares)	0		(202)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	0		(8)
Outstanding (in shares)	3,028	3,028	3,028
Vested and expected to vest at period end (in shares)	3,028		3,028
Exercisable at period end (in shares)	2,633		2,633
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 62.44	$ 60.86	$ 60.86
Exercised (in dollars per share)	0		38.02
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)	0		39.37
Outstanding (in dollars per share)	62.44	$ 62.44	62.44
Vested and expected to vest at period end (in dollars per share)	62.44		62.44
Exercisable at period end (in dollars per share)	$ 62.44		$ 62.44
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years
Outstanding (in years)	5 years 18 days
Vested and expected to vest (in years)	5 years 18 days
Exercisable at the end of the period (in years)	4 years 8 months 4 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at period end	$ 0		$ 0
Vested and expected to vest at period end	0		0
Exercisable at period end	$ 0		$ 0

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Su_3

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of the Status of Restricted Stock Awards and Changes in Restricted Stock Outstanding (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares
Shares
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,085
Granted (in shares) | shares	781
Vested (in shares) | shares	(415)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(15)
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,436
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 61.28
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	39.99
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	62.15
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	50.75
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 49.56

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Su_4

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Summary of the Status of Performance Share Units and Changes in Performance Share Units Outstanding (Details) - Performance Share Units shares in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares
Shares
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	145
Granted (in shares) | shares	259
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	404
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 62.66
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	43.40
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 50.31

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Weig

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Calculation of the Fair Value of Awards (Details) - Performance Share Units	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.60%
Expected stock volatility	34.80%
Expected term	3 years 2 months 12 days

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON _3

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (420,468)		$ 71,857		$ (389,739)	$ 80,221
Loss from discontinued operations	(72)		(10,966)		(196)	(371)
Net income (loss)	(420,540)	$ 30,605	60,891	$ 18,959	(389,935)	79,850
Adjustment for basic earnings per share
Earnings allocated to unvested shareholders	(1,003)		(784)		(1,994)	(1,560)
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(421,471)		71,073		(391,733)	78,661
From discontinued operations	(72)		(10,966)		(196)	(371)
Net income (loss) attributable to parent, basic	(421,543)		60,107		(391,929)	78,290
Adjustment for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Effect of reallocating undistributed earnings of unvested shareholders	0		0		0	0
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations	(421,471)		71,073		(391,733)	78,661
From discontinued operations	(72)		(10,966)		(196)	(371)
Net income (loss) attributable to parent, diluted	$ (421,543)		$ 60,107		$ (391,929)	$ 78,290
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-average shares (in shares)	108,557		109,406		108,556	109,273
Effect of dilutive shares from stock options, restricted stock and performance share units (in shares)	0		97		0	179
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted-average shares (in shares)	108,557		109,503		108,556	109,452
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (3.88)		$ 0.65		$ (3.61)	$ 0.72
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		(0.10)		0	0
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	(3.88)		0.55		(3.61)	0.72
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(3.88)		0.65		(3.61)	0.72
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		(0.10)		0	0
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (3.88)		$ 0.55		$ (3.61)	$ 0.72

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON _4

EARNINGS (LOSSES) PER COMMON SHARE - Shares Attributable to Outstanding Equity Awards Excluded from the Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Shares excluded from calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	4,579	2,921	3,579	2,770
Weighted-average price per share (in dollars per share)	$ 58.03	$ 64.04	$ 60.55	$ 64.18

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_3

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-rate debt	$ 487,148	$ 487,148	$ 487,148
Gain (loss) resulting from the change in the fair value of investments	(12,400)	(9,600)
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets held in a non-qualified supplemental savings plan	13,700	13,700	$ 15,700
Level 2 | Carrying Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-rate debt	$ 487,100	$ 487,100

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_4

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Recurring Fair Value Measurements $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Assets:
Short-term investments	$ 45,655
Cash and cash equivalents	336,089
Investments	6,650
Other current assets	40,744
Other assets	3,386
Total assets measured at fair value	432,524
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	11,823
Level 1
Assets:
Short-term investments	20,125
Cash and cash equivalents	336,089
Investments	6,307
Other current assets	40,744
Other assets	3,386
Total assets measured at fair value	406,651
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	0
Level 2
Assets:
Short-term investments	25,530
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Investments	343
Other current assets	0
Other assets	0
Total assets measured at fair value	25,873
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	0
Level 3
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Investments	0
Other current assets	0
Other assets	0
Total assets measured at fair value	0
Liabilities:
Contingent earnout liability	11,823
Certificates of deposit
Assets:
Short-term investments	6,545
Certificates of deposit | Level 1
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Certificates of deposit | Level 2
Assets:
Short-term investments	6,545
Certificates of deposit | Level 3
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Corporate and municipal debt securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	18,985
Corporate and municipal debt securities | Level 1
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
Corporate and municipal debt securities | Level 2
Assets:
Short-term investments	18,985
Corporate and municipal debt securities | Level 3
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
U.S. government and federal agency securities
Assets:
Short-term investments	20,125
U.S. government and federal agency securities | Level 1
Assets:
Short-term investments	20,125
U.S. government and federal agency securities | Level 2
Assets:
Short-term investments	0
U.S. government and federal agency securities | Level 3
Assets:
Short-term investments	$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_5

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Reconciliation of Changes in the Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Classified as Level 3 (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities
Net liabilities	$ 19,873	$ 12,147	$ 18,373	$ 11,160
Additions	0	0	1,500	673
Total gains or losses included in earnings	(3,800)	(3,132)	(3,800)	(2,818)
Settlements	(4,250)	0	(4,250)	0
Net liabilities	$ 11,823	$ 9,015	$ 11,823	$ 9,015

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_6

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Level 3	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Monte Carlo simulation
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 500,000
Monte Carlo simulation | Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.045
Monte Carlo simulation | Revenue Volatility
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.306
Monte Carlo simulation | Risk free rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.012
Probability Analysis
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 11,323,000
Probability Analysis | Discount rate
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.050
Probability Analysis | Payment amounts | Minimum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	$ 3,000,000
Probability Analysis | Payment amounts | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	5,400,000
Probability Analysis | Payment amounts | Maximum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	$ 7,000,000
Probability Analysis | Probabilities | Minimum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.40
Probability Analysis | Probabilities | Weighted Average
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.53
Probability Analysis | Probabilities | Maximum
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	0.60

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FIN_7

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Supplemental Fair Value Information about Long-Term Fixed-Rate Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$ 479,811	$ 479,356
Level 2
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	494,300	526,400
Carrying Value
Supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$ 479,800	$ 479,400

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Compon

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Components of the net periodic pension expense (benefit)
Interest cost	$ 1,097	$ 1,097	$ 2,194	$ 2,194
Expected return on plan assets	(1,381)	(1,386)	(2,762)	(2,772)
Recognized net actuarial loss	669	291	1,338	583
Net pension expense	$ 385	$ 2	$ 770	$ 5

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Narrat

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Narrative (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employer contribution	$ 0

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Purchase commitments for equipment, parts and supplies	$ 12.7
HPIDC Employee Injury Lawsuit
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for lawsuit settlement		$ 9.5

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAP_3

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Summary of Financial Information of Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 633,639	$ 720,868	$ 1,248,296	$ 1,461,466
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(518,541)	95,146	(487,173)	149,435
U.S. Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	530,664	617,533	1,039,492	1,236,958
Offshore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	33,079	34,583	73,334	71,493
International Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	51,250	50,808	97,712	117,095
H&P Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	15,297	14,729	31,150	29,465
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,349	3,215	6,608	6,455
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	633,639	720,868	1,248,296	1,461,466
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(498,079)	111,870	(437,578)	196,545
Operating Segment | U.S. Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	530,664	617,533	1,039,492	1,236,958
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(309,093)	102,015	(252,403)	177,928
Operating Segment | Offshore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	33,079	34,583	73,334	71,493
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(3,319)	4,531	3,009	11,699
Operating Segment | International Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	51,250	50,808	97,712	117,095
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(152,469)	7,968	(149,354)	14,597
Operating Segment | H&P Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,709	14,729	36,261	29,465
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(33,574)	(3,808)	(38,125)	(10,397)
Operating Segment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	13,998	3,215	25,153	6,455
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	376	1,164	(705)	2,718
Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(13,061)	0	(23,656)	0
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | U.S. Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | Offshore
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | International Land
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment | H&P Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,412	0	5,111	0
Intersegment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 10,649	$ 0	$ 18,545	$ 0

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAP_4

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets	$ 10,310	$ 11,546	$ 14,589	$ 17,090
Selling, general and administrative	41,978	43,506	91,786	98,014
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(518,541)	95,146	(487,173)	149,435
Other income (expense)
Interest and dividend income	3,566	2,061	5,780	4,512
Interest expense	(6,095)	(6,167)	(12,195)	(10,888)
Gain (loss) on investment securities	(12,413)	5,878	(9,592)	(36,957)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	0	14,963	0
Other	(398)	17	(797)	548
Total other income (expense)	(15,340)	1,789	(1,841)	(42,785)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(533,881)	96,935	(489,014)	106,650
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(498,079)	111,870	(437,578)	196,545
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets	10,310	11,546	14,589	17,090
Corporate
Segment Reporting Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative	$ (30,772)	$ (28,270)	$ (64,184)	$ (64,200)

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAP_5

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Total Assets by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,176,754	$ 5,839,515
Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	5,176,754	5,839,515
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,642,816	5,636,209
Investments and Corporate Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	533,938	203,306
U.S. Land | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,158,450	5,099,583
Offshore | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	111,116	102,442
International Land | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	179,170	217,094
H&P Technologies | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	151,577	184,558
Other | Operating Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 42,503	$ 32,532

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAP_6

BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Revenues from External Customers by Country (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 633,639	$ 720,868	$ 1,248,296	$ 1,461,466
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	581,520	669,424	1,148,335	1,343,425
Argentina
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,682	41,084	70,291	82,689
Bahrain
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,383	2,526	15,067	5,054
United Arab Emirates
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,280	0	6,453	4,728
Colombia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,905	7,198	5,901	24,624
Other Foreign
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 869	$ 636	$ 2,249	$ 946

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 04, 2020USD ($)rig	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Early termination revenue | $		$ 8.2	$ 1.2	$ 8.3	$ 8.3
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Early termination revenue | $	$ 27
Domestic Conventional Rigs Asset Group | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of rigs decommissioned | rig	2
FlexRig3 Asset Group | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of rigs decommissioned | rig	35

Uncategorized Items - hp-202033

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (38,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	(38,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	29,071,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	$ (29,071,000)