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                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


               DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: SEPTEMBER 12, 2006


                              ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

                                      TEXAS
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

        Internal Revenue Service - Employer Identification No. 74-1611874

                15835 Park Ten Place Drive, Houston, Texas, 77084
                                 (281) 749-7800
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 7.01         REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

     The Company's  Fleet Status Report at September 12, 2006 is attached hereto
as Exhibit 99.1. Such  information is being  furnished  under  Regulation FD and
should not be deemed to be filed under Section 18 of the Exchange Act. The Fleet
Status Report has also been posted on the Company's website at www.atwd.com. All
changes  from the  Company's  last Fleet  Status  Report dated July 28, 2006 are
highlighted in yellow on the Company's website.

     As noted in the attached  Fleet Status Report,  the ATWOOD HUNTER  incurred
nine  (9)  days  of zero  rate  time  in  August  2006  relating  to  unexpected
replacement of equipment, which reduced revenues by approximately $2.2 million.

     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 the  construction  of a rig;  competition;
operating  risks;  risks involved in foreign  operations;  risks associated with
possible  disruption in operations  due to terrorism;  risks  associated  with a
possible  disruption  in  operations  due to a war with Iraq;  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, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



ITEM 9.01         EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 99.1    FLEET STATUS REPORT SEPTEMBER 12, 2006






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SIGNATURES

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


                                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
                                     (Registrant)



                                     /s/ James M. Holland
                                     James M. Holland
                                     Senior Vice President

                                     DATE:    September 12, 2006




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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.                 DESCRIPTION

99.1               Fleet Status Report at September 12, 2006





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