Atwood Oceanics (ATW) 8-K Atwood Oceanics Announces Conference Call Introducing New President and Ceo

EXHIBIT 99.1

ATWOOD OCEANICS ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE CALL INTRODUCING NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

Houston, Texas

December 14, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC., (NYSE – ATW) a Houston-based International Drilling Contractor, announced that the it will hold a Conference Call to introduce the new President and CEO of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

The call details are as follows:

Conference Date:           December 14, 2009

Time:                                2:00 p.m. Eastern (1:00 p.m. Central)

Participant Dial-In:        1-800-895-0198

Statements contained in this report with respect to the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including; the Company’s dependence on the oil and gas industry; the risks involved in the construction of a rig and commencement of operations of the rig following delivery; competition; operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks associated with possible disruption in operations due to terrorism, acts of piracy, embargoes, war or other military operations; and governmental regulations and environmental matters.  A list of additional risk factors can be found in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Jim Holland

281-749-7804