__________________________________________________________________________________________
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

----------------

Form 10-Q

|X|QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

                                         TEXAS                                                                       74-1611874

(State or other jurisdiction of                                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                        incorporation or organization)

                 15835 Park Ten Place Drive                                        77084
                       Houston, Texas                                                 (Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

281-749-7800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
---------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filings requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
 
Large accelerated filer
X           Accelerated filer ___           
Non-accelerated filer ___          Smaller reporting company ___
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes___ No
X
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of July 31, 2008: 64,030,030 shares of common stock, $1 par value


_______________________________________________________________________________

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
 
FORM 10-Q
 
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2008
 
 

INDEX
 

 

 

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Page
a)   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

3

 

b)   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

As of June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007

4

c)    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007

5

d) 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’

Equity for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2008

6

e)   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations

15

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

25

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

26

Part II. Other Information
Item 6.  Exhibits

27

Signatures

29



                     

      


PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIO
NS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

               
 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

June 30,  

 

June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

               

REVENUES:

             

   Contract drilling

$ 141,372

 

$ 98,371

 

$ 365,950

 

$ 278,875

   Business interruption proceeds

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,558

 

141,372

 

98,371

 

365,950

 

281,433

               

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

             

   Contract drilling

57,094

 

47,484

 

159,999

 

140,211

   Depreciation

8,871

 

8,438

 

25,914

 

24,782

   General and administrative

7,567

 

5,949

 

23,049

 

17,991

   Gain on sale of equipment, net

(129)

 

(157)

 

(214)

 

(341)

 

73,403

 

61,714

 

208,748

 

182,643

OPERATING INCOME

67,969

 

36,657

 

157,202

 

98,790

               

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

             

   Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

(204)

 

(392)

 

(1,146)

 

(1,317)

   Interest income

301

 

304

 

1,475

 

1,177

 

97

 

(88)

 

329

 

(140)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

68,066

 

36,569

 

157,531

 

98,650

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

7,685

 

4,536

 

16,846

 

13,775

NET INCOME

$ 60,381

 

$ 32,033

 

$ 140,685

 

$ 84,875

               

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE 2):

             

   Basic

$ 0.94

 

$ 0.51

 

$ 2.21

 

$ 1.36

   Diluted

0.93

 

0.50

 

2.18

 

1.34

AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 2):

             

   Basic

64,023

 

62,982

 

63,665

 

62,466

   Diluted

64,776

 

63,928

 

64,509

 

63,436



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.




PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

       

June 30,

 

September 30,

       

2008

 

2007

             

ASSETS

           
             

CURRENT ASSETS:

           

   Cash and cash equivalents

     

$ 201,424

 

$ 100,361

   Accounts receivable, net of an allowance

           

      of $240 at June 30, 2008

           

      and $164 at September 30, 2007

     

111,525

 

76,597

   Income tax receivable

     

2,356

 

1,870

   Inventories of materials and supplies, net

     

34,126

 

26,721

   Deferred tax assets

     

-

 

390

   Prepaid expenses and deferred costs

     

2,859

 

10,240

      Total Current Assets

     

352,290

 

216,179

             

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     

671,138

 

493,851

             

DEFERRED COSTS AND OTHER ASSETS

     

4,618

 

7,694

       

$ 1,028,046

 

$ 717,724

             

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

           
             

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

           

   Current maturities of notes payable

     

$                 -

 

$ 18,000

   Accounts payable

     

17,222

 

11,769

   Accrued liabilities

     

44,453

 

27,861

   Deferred income taxes

     

482

 

-

      Total Current Liabilities

     

62,157

 

57,630

             

LONG-TERM DEBT,

           

    net of current maturities:

     

170,000

 

-

       

170,000

 

-

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

           

   Deferred income taxes

     

11,584

 

14,729

   Deferred credits

     

11,378

 

24,093

   Other

     

6,294

 

5,417

      Total Long-Term Liabilities

     

29,256

 

44,239

             

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 9)

           
             

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTE 2):

           

   Preferred stock, no par value;

           

      1,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

     

-

 

-

   Common stock, $1 par value, 90,000 shares

           

      authorized with 64,026 and 63,350 issued

           

      and outstanding at June 30, 2008

           

      and September 30, 2007, respectively

     

64,026

 

63,350

   Paid-in capital

     

112,505

 

101,549

   Retained earnings

     

590,102

 

450,956

       Total Shareholders' Equity

     

766,633

 

615,855

       

$ 1,028,046

 

$ 717,724

             
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

   

2008

 

2007

         

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

       

   Net Income

 

$ 140,685

 

$ 84,875

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

       

     provided (used) by operating activities:

       

       Depreciation

 

25,914

 

24,782

       Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

586

 

603

       Amortization of deferred items

 

(7,726)

 

(22,856)

       Provision for doubtful accounts

 

240

 

(37)

       Provision for inventory obsolesence

 

130

 

-

       Deferred federal income tax benefit

 

(2,273)

 

(1,154)

       Stock-based compensation expense

 

5,644

 

3,750

       Gain on sale of equipment

 

(214)

 

(341)

   Changes in assets and liabilities:

       

       (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

(35,168)

 

8,689

       Decrease in insurance receivable

 

-

 

550

       Increase in income tax receivable

 

(486)

 

(2,789)

       Increase in inventory

 

(7,535)

 

(2,526)

       Decrease in prepaid expenses

 

7,381

 

6,119

       Increase in deferred costs and other assets

 

(1,162)

 

(3,498)

       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

5,453

 

(2,186)

       Increase in accrued liabilities

 

6,619

 

9,432

       Increase (decrease) in deferred credits and other liabilities

 

(663)

 

34,726

       Other

 

-

 

(3)

        Net cash provided by operating activities

 

137,425

 

138,136

         

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

       

   Capital expenditures

 

(193,281)

 

(70,930)

   Proceeds from sale of equipment

 

267

 

596

      Net cash used by investing activities

 

(193,014)

 

(70,334)

         

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       

   Principal payments on debt

 

(18,000)

 

(37,000)

   Proceeds from debt

 

170,000

 

-

   Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

5,988

 

7,188

   Debt issuance costs paid

 

(1,336)

 

-

   Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

 

-

 

2,840

          Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

156,652

 

(26,972)

         

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

101,063

 

40,830

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at beginning of period

 

$ 100,361

 

$ 32,276

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, at end of period

 

$ 201,424

 

$ 73,106

         
 Non-cash activities        
    Increase in accrued liabilities  related to capital expenditures

$9,973

 

$5,901



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


PART I. ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES
IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 

           
         

Total

 

Common Stock

Paid-in

Retained

Stockholders’

(In thousands)

Shares

Amount

Capital

Earnings

Equity

           

September 30, 2007

63,350

$ 63,350

$ 101,549

$ 450,956

$ 615,855

    FIN48 adoption

     

(1,539)

(1,539)

    Net income

-

-

-

140,685

140,685

     Exercise of employee stock options

676

676

5,312

-

5,988

     Stock option and restricted stock

         

         award compensation expense

-

-

5,644

-

5,644

June 30, 2008

64,026

$ 64,026

$ 112,505

$ 590,102

$ 766,633

           


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


PART I. ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.     UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION

     
     
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2008 and for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, included herein, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The financial statements include information about Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (which together with its subsidiaries is identified as the “Company”, “we” or “our”, unless the context indicates otherwise). The year end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited financial statements as of September 30, 2007. Although these financial statements and related information have been prepared without audit, and certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted, we believe that the note disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. The interim financial results may not be indicative of results that could be expected for a full year. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended September 30, 2007. In our opinion, the unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.

2.     CAPITAL STOCK

     On June 11, 2008, our board of directors declared a two-for-one stock split of our common stock effected in the form of a 100% common stock dividend. All shareholders of record at the close of business on June 27, 2008 (the “Record Date”), were entitled to receive on the distribution date, July 11, 2008 (the “Distribution Date”), one additional share of common stock for each share held on the Record Date. The additional shares of common stock were distributed in the form of a 100% common stock dividend on the Distribution Date. All share and per share amounts in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been adjusted to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.

 



3.     SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We recognize compensation expense on grants of share-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the required service period for each award. As of June 30, 2008, unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options and restricted stock awards was approximately $5.1 million and $11.5 million, respectively, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years. The recognition of share-based compensation expense had the following effect on our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   

Three Months

Ended

 

Nine Months

Ended

   

 

 

 

June 30, 2008:

       

Increase in contract drilling expenses

 

$ 599

 

$ 1,496

Increase in general and administrative expenses

 

1,555

 

4,148

Decrease in income tax provision

 

(544)

 

(1,452)

Decrease of net income

 

$ 1,610

 

$ 4,192

       

Decrease in earnings per share:

       

Basic

 

$ 0.03

 

$ 0.07

Diluted

 

$ 0.02

 

$ 0.06

         
         

June 30, 2007:

       

Increase in contract drilling expenses

 

$ 362

 

$ 953

Increase in general and administrative expenses

 

895

 

2,797

Decrease in income tax provision

 

(313)

 

(979)

Decrease of net income

 

$ 944

 

$ 2,771

       

Decrease in earnings per share:

       

Basic

 

$ 0.01

 

$ 0.04

Diluted

 

$ 0.01

 

$ 0.04

 

Awards of restricted stock and stock options have both been granted under our stock incentive plans during the current fiscal year. We deliver newly issued shares of common stock for restricted stock awards upon vesting and upon exercise of stock options. All stock incentive plans currently in effect have been approved by the shareholders of our outstanding common stock.

Stock Options

Under our stock incentive plans, the exercise price of each stock option equals the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the date of grant, with all outstanding options having a maximum term of 10 years. Options vest ratably over a period from the end of the first to the fourth year from the date of grant. Each option is for the purchase of one share of our common stock.


The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended June 30, 2008 was $40.68. We estimated the fair value of each stock option then outstanding using the Black-Scholes pricing model and the following assumptions for the nine months ended June 30, 2008:

Risk-Free Interest Rate

3.7%

Expected Volatility

46%

Expected Life (Years)

5.27

Dividend Yield

None



 

 The average risk-free interest rate is based on the five-year U.S. treasury security rate in effect as of the grant date. We determined expected volatility using a 6-year historical volatility figure and determined the expected term of the stock options using 10 years of historical data. We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock.

A summary of stock option activity during the nine months ended June 30, 2008 is as follows:

             
       

Wtd. Avg.

   
     

Wtd. Avg.

Remaining

Aggregate

 
   

Number of

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

 
   

Options (000s)

Price

Life (Years)

Value (000s)

 

Outstanding at October 1, 2007

 

1,763

$ 12.27

6.5

$ 45,854

 

Granted

 

187

$ 44.75

     

Exercised

 

(676)

$ 8.87

 

$ 27,086

 

Forfeited

 

(15)

$ 24.88

     

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

 

1,259

$ 18.77

6.8

$ 54,642

 

Exercisable at June 30, 2008

 

693

$ 12.08

5.7

$ 34,742

 
             


 

 

 Restricted Stock

We have also awarded restricted stock to certain employees and to our non-employee directors. The awards of restricted stock have various vesting periods ranging from thirteen months to four years. All restricted stock awards granted to date are restricted from transfer for three or four years from the date of grant, whether vested or unvested. We value restricted stock awards at fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.

A summary of restricted stock activity for the nine months ended June 30, 2008, is as follows:

   

Number of

Wtd. Avg.

   

Shares (000s)

Fair Value

Unvested at September 30, 2007

 

321

$ 21.70

Granted

 

277

$ 44.74

Vested

 

-

 

Forfeited

 

(16)

$ 27.63

Unvested at June 30, 2008

 

582

$ 32.51

       

4.     EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

     The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 

       

Three Months Ended  

 

Nine Months Ended

                     
       

Net

 

Per Share

 

Net

 

Per Share

       

Income

Shares

Amount

 

Income

Shares

Amount

June 30, 2008:

                 
 

Basic earnings per share 

 

$ 60,381

64,023

$ 0.94

 

$ 140,685

63,665

$ 2.21

 

Effect of dilutive securities: 

               
   

Stock options

 

---

753

$ (0.01)

 

---

844

$ (0.03)

                     
 

Diluted earnings per share 

 

$ 60,381

64,776

$ 0.93

 

$ 140,685

64,509

$ 2.18

                     

June 30, 2007: 

                 
 

Basic earnings per share 

 

$ 32,033

62,982

$ 0.51

 

$ 84,875

62,466

$ 1.36

 

Effect of dilutive securities: 

               
   

Stock options

 

---

946

$ (0.01)

 

---

970

$ (0.02)

                     
 

Diluted earnings per share 

 

$ 32,033

63,928

$ 0.50

 

$ 84,875

63,436

$ 1.34

                     


 

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2008 exclude consideration of shares of common stock related to 184,000 outstanding stock options because such options were anti-dilutive. These options could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future.


5.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     A summary of property and equipment by classification is as follows (in thousands):

          

     

June 30,

 

September 30,

     

2008

 

2007

           

Drilling vessels and related equipment

     
 

Cost

$ 981,124

 

$ 778,469

 

Accumulated depreciation

(316,247)

 

(292,790)

   

Net book value

664,877

 

485,679

           

Drill Pipe

       
 

Cost

15,645

 

15,587

 

Accumulated depreciation

(11,642)

 

(9,970)

   

Net book value

4,003

 

5,617

           

Furniture and other

     
 

Cost 

9,423

 

9,211

 

Accumulated depreciation

(7,165)

 

(6,656)

   

Net book value

2,258

 

2,555

           

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 

$ 671,138

 

$ 493,851

           
 
 

As of June 30, 2008, we had approximately $148 million and $124 million of construction in progress related to the construction of the ATWOOD AURORA and the new conventionally moored semisubmersible project, respectively.

New Semisubmersible Construction

During January 2008, we executed a construction contract with Jurong Shipyard Pte. Ltd. ("Jurong") to construct a conventionally moored Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit. This rig will be constructed at Jurong's shipyard in Singapore, with delivery expected to occur in early 2011. We estimate the total cost of the rig (including capitalized interest) will be $570 million to $590 million. See Note 10 regarding our additional dynamically positioned semisubmersible construction project.

6.     

          LONG-TERM DEBT




During October 2007, we entered into a new credit agreement with several banks, with Nordea Bank Finland PLC, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the lenders, as well as Lead Arranger and Book Runner. Our credit agreement provides for a secured 5-year $300,000,000 non-amortizing revolving loan facility with maturity in October 2012, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of defaults, including breaches of representations or covenants. Loans under the new facility will bear interest at varying rates ranging from 0.70% to 1.25% over Eurodollar Rate, depending upon the ratio of outstanding debt to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation. The credit agreement supports the issuance, when required, of standby letters of credit. The standby letters of credit outstanding under our prior credit facility were incorporated into our credit facility and were deemed issued thereunder.

The collateral for our credit agreement consists primarily of preferred mortgages on three of our active drilling units (ATWOOD EAGLE, ATWOOD HUNTER and ATWOOD BEACON). The new credit agreement contains various financial covenants that, among other things, require the maintenance of certain leverage and interest expense coverage ratios. Under our credit agreement, we are required to pay a fee ranging from 0.225% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the credit facility and certain other administrative costs. The credit facility will provide funding for future growth opportunities, including our new construction projects, and for general corporate needs. As of June 30, 2008, we have $130 million of funds available to borrow under this credit facility.

In conjunction with the establishment of the new credit agreement, we terminated our prior senior secured credit facility and repaid the remaining $18 million outstanding as of September 30, 2007 during October 2007. We also wrote off to interest expense the remaining unamortized loan costs of approximately $0.4 million related to the prior credit facility during the quarter ended December 31, 2007. In addition, we paid approximately $1.3 million of debt issuance costs related to the new credit facility during the current fiscal year which will be amortized over the term of the new credit facility.

7.     

          INCOME TAXES




We adopted the provision of FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” or FIN48, on October 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN48, we recognized an approximate $1.5 million increase in the long-term liability for uncertain tax positions which was accounted for as a reduction to the October 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. After the adoption of FIN48, we had $3.7 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions, including estimated accrued interest and penalties of $1.7 million as of October 1, 2007 which are included as Other Long Term Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

We record estimated accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During the first six months of the current fiscal year, there was no material change in our uncertain tax positions or related penalties and interest. However, due to the discovery during the current quarter ended June 30, 2008, of favorable information related to a certain tax position, we recognized a $0.9 million decrease in unrecognized tax benefits and a $1.8 million net income tax benefit, inclusive of interest and penalties in the current quarter. At June 30, 2008, we had $2.2 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions, including estimated accrued interest and penalties of $0.9 million which are included as Other Long Term Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. All $2.2 million of the net unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.

Our United States tax returns for fiscal year 2005 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. As we conduct business globally, we have various tax years remaining open to examination in our international tax jurisdictions. We do not anticipate that any tax contingencies resolved during the next 12 months will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


Virtually all of our tax provision for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 relates to taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, due to the high level of operating income earned in certain nontaxable and deemed profit tax jurisdictions during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, our effective tax rate for these periods was significantly less than the United States federal statutory rate.

8.          RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. GAAP has required different measurement attributes for different assets and liabilities that can create artificial volatility in earnings. The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to help mitigate this type of volatility in the earnings by enabling companies to report related assets and liabilities at fair value, which would likely reduce the need for companies to comply with complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently analyzing the provisions of SFAS No. 159 to determine how it will affect accounting policies and procedures, but we have not yet made a determination of the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In September 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which defines fair value, establishes methods used to measure fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal periods. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. This FSP delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We are currently analyzing the provisions of SFAS No. 157 and FSP No. FAS 157-2 to determine how it will affect our accounting policies and procedures, but we have not yet made a determination of the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations (revised 2007)”. This statement retains the fundamental requirements for SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, that the acquisition method be used for all business combinations and expands the same method of accounting to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one of more other businesses or assets at the acquisition date and in subsequent periods. SFAS No. 141(R) replaces SFAS No. 141 by requiring measurement at the acquisition date of the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interest. Additionally, SFAS No. 141(R) requires that acquisition-related costs, including restructuring costs, be recognized separately from the acquisition. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2008. The impact of SFAS No. 141(R) on us will depend on the nature and extent of any future acquisitions.


In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51”. SFAS No. 160 establishes the accounting and reporting standards for a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This statement clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests and applies prospectively to business combinations for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We are currently analyzing the provisions of SFAS No. 160 to determine how it will affect accounting policies and procedures, but we have not yet made a determination of the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2008, the FASB, issued SFAS, No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP (the GAAP hierarchy). The FASB does not expect SFAS 162 to result in a change in current practice, as the intent of SFAS 162 is to direct the GAAP hierarchy to the reporting entity (rather than its auditor) and to place the GAAP hierarchy within the accounting literature established by the FASB. This statement is effective 60 days following SEC approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.”  We do not anticipate that SFAS 162 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

9.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are party to a number of lawsuits which are ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business, the outcome of which, individually, or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In one of the foreign jurisdictions where we operate, a new operating tax on drilling services was enacted during fiscal year 2007. In our opinion, which is supported by our legal and tax advisors, we believe the liability related to this new service tax is a direct obligation of our customer according to the provisions of the tax law in the foreign jurisdiction. Additionally, our contract terms provide for this tax to be paid by our customer. To date, there have been no assessments against us or payments made relating to this service tax.

10.          SUBSEQUENT EVENT

During July 2008, we executed a construction contract with Jurong to construct a dynamically positioned Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit. This rig will also be constructed at Jurong's shipyard in Singapore, with delivery expected to occur in mid 2012. We estimate the total cost of the rig (including capitalized interest) will be $750 million to $775 million.


PART I. ITEM 2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008 includes statements about Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (which together with its subsidiaries is identified as the “Company,” “we” or “our,” unless the context indicates otherwise) which are not historical facts (including any statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto) which are forward-looking statements. In addition, we and our representatives may, from time to time, make other oral or written statements which are also forward-looking statements.

     These forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us, and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause our actual results of operations, financial conditions or cash flows to differ include, but are not necessarily limited to:

- our dependence on the oil and gas industry;
 

- the operational risks involved in drilling for oil and gas;
 
- changes in rig utilization and dayrates in response to the level of activity in the oil and gas
   industry, which is significantly affected by indications and expectations regarding the
   level and volatility of oil and gas prices, which in turn are affected by such things as
   political, economic and weather conditions affecting or potentially affecting regional or
   worldwide demand for oil and gas, actions or anticipated actions by OPEC, inventory
   levels, deliverability constraints, and future market activity;
 
- the extent to which customers and potential customers continue to pursue deepwater drilling;
 
- exploration success or lack of exploration success by our customers and potential customers;
 
- the highly competitive and cyclical nature of our business, with periods of low demand and
  excess rig availability;
 
- the impact of the war with Iraq or other military operations, terrorist acts or embargoes
  elsewhere;
 
- our ability to enter into and the terms of future drilling contracts;
 
- the availability of qualified personnel;
 
- our failure to retain the business of one or more significant customers;
 
- the termination or renegotiation of contracts by customers;
 
- the availability of adequate insurance at a reasonable cost;
 
- the occurrence of an uninsured loss;
 
- the risks of international operations, including possible economic, political, social or monetary
   instability, and compliance with foreign laws; 

- the effect public health concerns could have on our international operations and
  financial results;
 
- compliance with or breach of environmental laws;
 
- the incurrence of secured debt or additional unsecured indebtedness or other obligations by us
  or our subsidiaries;
 
- the adequacy of sources of liquidity;
 
- currently unknown rig repair needs and/or additional opportunities to accelerate planned
   maintenance expenditures due to presently unanticipated rig downtime;
 
- higher than anticipated accruals for performance-based compensation due to better than
  anticipated performance by us, higher than anticipated severance expenses due to unanticipated
  employee terminations, higher than anticipated legal and accounting fees due to anticipate        financing or other corporate transactions and other factors that could increase general and administrative expenses;

- the actions of our competitors in the offshore drilling industry, which could significantly
  influence rig dayrates and utilization;
 
- changes in the geographic areas in which our customers plan to operate,
which in turn could
  change our expected effective tax rate;
 
- changes in oil and gas drilling technology or in our competitors'
drilling rig fleets that
   could make our drilling rigs less competitive or require major capital investments to keep them
   competitive;
 
- rig availability;
 
- the effects and uncertainties of legal and administrative proceedings and
other contingencies;
 
- the impact of governmental laws and regulations and the uncertainties
involved in their
   administration, particularly in some foreign jurisdictions;
 
- changes in accepted interpretations of accounting guidelines and other
accounting
   pronouncements and tax laws; 

- the risks involved in the construction, upgrade and repair of our drilling units; and


- such other factors as may be discussed in this report and our other  reports filed with the   Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

     

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. The words “believe,” “impact,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Part I, Item 2 hereof and elsewhere in this report. When considering any forward-looking statement, you should also keep in mind the risk factors described in other reports or filings we make with the SEC from time to time, including our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only on the date hereof. Neither we nor our representatives have a general obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

.


MARKET OUTLOOK

     Currently, we have approximately 99% of available rig days for fiscal year 2008 contracted, with contracted rig days for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 at approximately 50% and 20%, respectively. A comparison of the average per day revenue for fiscal years 2006, 2007 and for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 for each of our current eight active drilling units to their current highest dayrate commitment is as follows:
 
     

Average Per Day Revenues (1)

 

Fiscal Year 2006

Fiscal Year 2007

First Nine Months of Fiscal Year 2008

Current

Highest Dayrate Commitment (1)

   
             

ATWOOD EAGLE

$129,000

$160,000

       $195,000

$450,000

   

ATWOOD HUNTER

172,000

234,000

         247,000

545,000

   

ATWOOD FALCON

83,000

138,000

         186,000

425,000

   

ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS

 

82,000

 

171,000

 

        302,000

 

406,000

   

ATWOOD BEACON

88,000

109,000

        126,000

133,500

   

VICKSBURG

82,000

110,000

        155,000

154,000

   

SEAHAWK

32,000

84,000

88,000 (2)

94,000

(2)

 

RICHMOND

55,000

81,000

36,000 (3)

78,000

   

_____________

           

NOTES -

           

(1)     Average per day revenues include dayrate and service revenues and amortized deferred fees. The current highest dayrate commitment includes estimated amortized deferred fees where noted.

(2) Includes estimated amortized deferred fees of $17,000 per day.

(3) The rig was in a shipyard for approximately four months during the current fiscal year undergoing a life enhancing

upgrade which resulted in its low average dayrate.

             


     The ATWOOD EAGLE is currently drilling under a two-year commitment with Woodside Energy Limited (“Woodside”) at a dayrate of $405,000. Following completion of the Woodside drilling program (estimated June 2010), Chevron Australia Pty. Ltd. (“Chevron”) has committed to use the rig at a dayrate of approximately $430,000 to $450,000 (subject to adjustment for cost escalation) until our new conventionally moored semisubmersible drilling unit being built in Singapore is ready to commence its drilling program commitment in Australia (estimated early 2011) with Chevron. The ATWOOD HUNTER is currently working offshore Mauritania for Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd. This contract has an operating dayrate of $240,000 and will extend to September 2008. Immediately upon completion of its current contract, the ATWOOD HUNTER will be relocated to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to drill a program for Noble Energy, Inc. (“Noble”) at a dayrate of $511,000. After completion of this program, the rig will commence working under a joint contract with Noble and Kosmos Energy that will extend to October 2012, at dayrates of $538,000 to $545,000 while operating, and $460,000 during all mobilization periods. The ATWOOD FALCON is currently drilling one well in the South China Sea at a dayrate of $425,000. Upon completion of this well (estimated mid-August 2008), the rig will return to work for Shell under an existing contract that will extend to August 2009 at a dayrate of $160,000 plus estimated amortized deferred fees of $27,000 per day. The ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS is currently drilling a program for ENI offshore Italy. This drilling program is expected to take until late August 2008 to complete with a dayrate of $406,000.
 
     Currently, our two active jack-up drilling units, the ATWOOD BEACON and VICKSBURG, have contract commitments to completion of well in progress in January 2009 and June 2009, respectively. The ATWOOD BEACON is working in India for Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, Ltd. at a dayrate of $133,500; while the VICKSBURG is working in Thailand for Chevron Overseas Petroleum at a dayrate of $154,000. The SEAHAWK is working offshore West Africa for Amerada Hess Equatorial Guinea, Inc. under a drilling contract that extends to August 2009; however, this contract provides for two (2) six-month options at the current dayrate plus certain cost escalations. The SEAHAWK’s current dayrate is approximately $77,000, which with amortized deferred fees of $17,000 per day results in the total daily revenue of $94,000. Our only rig in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the RICHMOND, is currently working for Contango Operations Inc. (“Contango”) at a dayrate of $65,000. Upon completion of this current well, the rig will drill two more wells for Contango at dayrates of $75,000 and $78,000, respectively.
 
     We are in the process of expanding our drilling fleet with the construction of three (3) additional drilling units. Our ultra premium jack-up, ATWOOD AURORA, is being constructed in Brownsville, Texas, with an expected delivery date in November 2008 at a total cost (including capitalized interest and transportation costs to relocate rig to its first area of operations) of $177 million to $180 million. We are currently pursuing a contract opportunity for the ATWOOD AURORA outside of the United States. In December 2007, we were awarded a contract by Chevron to provide a newly constructed Mobile Offshore Semisubmersible Drilling Unit for a firm three (3) year period, with an option to extend the firm period to six (6) years. The contract provides for an operating dayrate of approximately $470,000, if the firm commitment is three (3) years, and approximately $450,000, if the option is exercised to extend the firm commitment period to six (6) years. Both dayrates are subject to adjustment pursuant to cost escalation provisions of the contract. To provide the drilling rig required by the contract, we executed a construction contract with Jurong Shipyard Pte. Ltd. (“Jurong”) to construct a conventionally moored Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit. This new rig will be constructed at Jurong’s shipyard in Singapore, with delivery expected to occur in early 2011. We estimate the total cost of the rig (including capitalized interest) will be $570 million to $590 million.
 

In July 2008, we executed another construction contract with Jurong to construct a dynamically positioned Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit. This new rig will also be constructed at Jurong’s shipyard in Singapore, with delivery expected to occur in mid 2012. We currently do not have a contract commitment for this rig. The estimated construction cost for this rig (including capitalized interest) will be $750 million to $775 million. Financing for the construction of these two rigs will be provided by a combination of our ongoing operating cash flows and debt, as necessary. We are currently evaluating whether any additional debt may be necessary in connection with our fleet expansion, and if so, the amount, terms, and conditions of such debt. We also have an option for the construction of a third rig with Jurong, which we are required to exercise by the end of calendar year 2008. We have made no determination at this time as to whether this option will be exercised.

     During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we incurred no planned zero rate days; however, the SEAHAWK did incur four (4) days of unplanned zero rate days. The SEAHAWK could also incur three (3) to five (5) planned zero rate days during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 for certain equipment upgrades. We currently have no additional downtime planned for any of our rigs for the remainder of calendar 2008; however, we can give no assurance that we will not incur unplanned zero rate days on any of our rigs during the remainder of calendar year 2008. During the nine months ended June 30, 2008, we have incurred forty (40) unplanned zero rate days. During the prior three (3) fiscal years, we incurred approximately 1% to 2% of unplanned zero rate days, or approximately 30 to 60 days per fiscal year.
 

Despite increasing drilling costs and the continuing risk of unplanned zero rate time, we expect operating results for fiscal year 2008 will reflect the highest revenues, cash flows and net income in our forty-year history. Based upon our current capital commitments, we expect to end fiscal year 2008 with outstanding debt between $200 million and $250 million, with a total debt to capitalization ratio of between 20% and 25%. With our strong balance sheet and continuing trend for improvement in cash flows, we will continue to evaluate the best use of future cash flows.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenues for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 increased 44% and 30%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2007. A comparative analysis of revenues is as follows:

 

REVENUES

 

(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

                       

ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS

$ 36.1

 

$ 13.1

 

$ 23.0

 

$ 82.9

 

$ 36.5

 

$ 46.4

ATWOOD EAGLE

26.1

 

15.2

 

10.9

 

53.3

 

43.7

 

9.6

VICKSBURG

13.9

 

9.2

 

4.7

 

42.6

 

26.2

 

16.4

ATWOOD FALCON

17.2

 

12.8

 

4.4

 

51.0

 

33.8

 

17.2

ATWOOD BEACON

12.3

 

10.3

 

2.0

 

34.5

 

29.3

 

5.2

SEAHAWK

8.3

 

7.4

 

0.9

 

24.1

 

23.3

 

0.8

ATWOOD HUNTER

21.5

 

21.6

 

(0.1)

 

67.7

 

60.3

 

7.4

RICHMOND

6.0

 

7.3

 

(1.3)

 

9.9

 

22.0

 

(12.1)

AUSTRALIA MANAGEMENT

                     

CONTRACTS

-

 

1.5

 

(1.5)

 

-

 

6.3

 

(6.3)

 

$ 141.4

 

$ 98.4

 

$ 43.0

 

$ 366.0

 

$ 281.4

 

$ 84.6

                       
 

The increase in fleetwide revenues for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 is primarily attributable to the increase in average dayrates due to improving market conditions and strong demand for offshore drilling equipment as previously discussed in “Market Outlook”. Increases in revenues during the current quarter and fiscal year period for the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS, ATWOOD EAGLE, VICKSBURG, ATWOOD FALCON, ATWOOD BEACON and SEAHAWK were related to each of these drilling units working at higher dayrates when compared to the prior fiscal year periods. While the increase in ATWOOD HUNTER revenue for the current fiscal year period is also due to working at a higher dayrate during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, current quarter revenues are consistent with the prior fiscal year quarter as the rig worked under the same contract and dayrate for both the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. For approximately four months of the first two quarters of fiscal year 2008, the RICHMOND was in a shipyard undergoing a life-enhancing upgrade and earned no revenue during the shipyard period, while during the current quarter, the rig worked at a lower dayrate when compared to the dayrate earned during the prior fiscal year quarter. The AUSTRALIA MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS were terminated during fiscal year 2007.


Contract drilling costs for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 increased 20% and 14%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2007. An analysis of contract drilling costs by rig is as follows:

   

 

CONTRACT DRILLING COSTS

 

(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

                       

ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS

$ 8.1

 

$ 5.3

 

$ 2.8

 

$ 24.4

 

$ 14.9

 

$ 9.5

ATWOOD EAGLE

12.5

 

9.8

 

2.7

 

32.6

 

26.2

 

6.4

VICKSBURG

5.3

 

3.4

 

1.9

 

14.1

 

10.1

 

4.0

ATWOOD FALCON

6.6

 

4.8

 

1.8

 

18.0

 

18.1

 

(0.1)

ATWOOD BEACON

4.9

 

3.8

 

1.1

 

14.3

 

11.3

 

3.0

RICHMOND

3.7

 

3.4

 

0.3

 

8.4

 

9.8

 

(1.4)

SEAHAWK

7.7

 

7.4

 

0.3

 

24.0

 

21.1

 

2.9

ATWOOD HUNTER

7.4

 

7.3

 

0.1

 

21.9

 

19.1

 

2.8

AUSTRALIA MANAGEMENT

                     

CONTRACTS

-

 

1.0

 

(1.0)

 

-

 

4.9

 

(4.9)

OTHER

0.9

 

1.3

 

(0.4)

 

2.3

 

4.7

 

(2.4)

 

$ 57.1

 

$ 47.5

 

$ 9.6

 

$ 160.0

 

$ 140.2

 

$ 19.8

                       

On a fleetwide basis, wage increases and extra personnel for training and development have resulted in higher personnel costs, increases in the number of maintenance projects have resulted in higher equipment related costs, and overall cost inflation have led to increases in contract drilling costs during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 for virtually every rig when compared to the prior fiscal year periods, including the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS, ATWOOD EAGLE, VICKSBURG and ATWOOD BEACON. While the ATWOOD FALCON also incurred higher costs due to the reasons mentioned above during the current quarter and fiscal year to date period, the increase for the fiscal year to date period was offset by a significant amount of planned maintenance performed during its water depth upgrade which was completed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2007.

Contract drilling costs for the RICHMOND, SEAHAWK, and ATWOOD HUNTER were relatively consistent during the current quarter when compared to the prior fiscal year quarter as higher personnel costs were offset by lower equipment related costs due to the number and timing of maintenance projects. For the fiscal year to date period, these rigs incurred higher contract drilling costs due to the reasons mentioned above, while the increase for the RICHMOND was more than offset due to the fact that the rig incurred significantly less operating costs while in a shipyard undergoing a life enhancing upgrade for approximately four months of the first two quarters of fiscal year 2008. The AUSTRALIA MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS were terminated during fiscal year 2007. Other drilling costs have decreased during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 primarily due to the allocation of certain training and development costs directly to our drilling units and currency exchange gains during the current fiscal year.

     


Depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 increased 6% and 4%, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2007. An analysis of depreciation expense by rig is as follows:

 

DEPRECIATION EXPENSE         

 

(In millions)

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

 

2008

 

2007

 

Variance

                       

ATWOOD FALCON

$ 1.3

 

$ 1.1

 

$ 0.2

 

$ 3.9

 

$ 3.1

 

$ 0.8

RICHMOND

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

0.7

 

(0.1)

ATWOOD HUNTER

1.5

 

1.4

 

0.1

 

4.4

 

4.3

 

0.1

ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS

0.9

 

0.9

 

-

 

2.8

 

2.5

 

0.3

ATWOOD BEACON

1.3

 

1.3

 

-

 

3.8

 

3.8

 

-

VICKSBURG

0.7

 

0.7

 

-

 

2.1

 

2.2

 

(0.1)

ATWOOD EAGLE

1.1

 

1.1

 

-

 

3.4

 

3.4

 

-

SEAHAWK

1.6

 

1.6

 

-

 

4.6

 

4.6

 

-

OTHER

0.1

 

0.1

 

-

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

$ 8.9

 

$ 8.4

 

$ 0.5

 

$ 25.9

 

$ 24.8

 

$ 1.1

                       
 

     Depreciation expense has increased for the ATWOOD FALCON due to the completion of its water depth upgrade during fiscal year 2007. Effective March 1, 2008 we extended the remaining depreciable life of the RICHMOND from one year to ten years, based upon completion of a life enhancing upgrade, coupled with our intent to continue marketing and operating the rig beyond one year. The decrease during the current fiscal year period for the RICHMOND, in accordance with our company policy, is due to the fact that no depreciation expense was recorded for approximately four months of the first two quarters of fiscal year 2008, as the rig was undergoing an upgrade to extend its useful life to ten years, which was partially offset by higher depreciation expense upon completion of the upgrade, including the current quarter expense. The increase in depreciation expense for the ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS for the nine months ended June 30, 2008 when compared to the prior fiscal year period is primarily due to equipment upgrades during the second half of fiscal year 2007. Depreciation expense for all other rigs has remained relatively consistent with the prior fiscal year periods.

General and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 increased compared to the prior fiscal year periods primarily due to rising personnel costs which include headcount and wages increases, increased annual bonus compensation costs and increased share-based compensation expense. Interest expense and interest income have remained relatively consistent when compared to the fiscal year 2007 periods.

Virtually all of our tax provision for each of the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 relates to taxes in foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, due to the high level of operating income earned in certain nontaxable and deemed profit tax jurisdictions during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, our effective tax rate for these periods was significantly less than the United States federal statutory rate. While our effective tax rate for the current quarter is relatively consistent with the prior fiscal year quarter, our effective rate for the current fiscal year period is lower due to a higher level of operating income earned in certain nontaxable and deemed profit tax jurisdictions when compared to the prior fiscal year period. Excluding any discrete items that may be incurred, we expect our effective tax rate to be between 10% and 11% for fiscal year 2008.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     

In October 2007, we entered into a credit agreement with several banks and terminated our prior senior secured credit facility. The new credit agreement provides for a secured 5-year $300,000,000 non-amortizing revolving loan facility with maturity in October 2012, subject to acceleration upon certain specified events of defaults, including breaches of representations or covenants. Loans under this facility bear interest at varying rates ranging from 0.70% to 1.25% over the Eurodollar Rate (3.4% at June 30, 2008), depending upon the ratio of outstanding debt to earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation. The collateral for the new credit agreement consists primarily of preferred mortgages on three of our active drilling units (ATWOOD EAGLE, ATWOOD HUNTER and ATWOOD BEACON). The credit agreement contains various financial covenants that, among other things, require the maintenance of certain leverage and interest expense coverage ratios, and will provide funding, when necessary, for drilling units currently under construction. As of June 30, 2008, $170 million has been borrowed under the credit facility. We are currently evaluating whether any additional debt may be necessary in connection with our fleet expansion, and if so, the amount, terms, and conditions of such debt

In January 2008 and July 2008, we executed construction contracts with Jurong Shipyard Pte. Ltd. to construct a conventionally moored Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit and a dynamically positioned Friede & Goldman ExD Millennium Semisubmersible Drilling Unit, respectively, with deliveries expected to occur in early 2011 and mid 2012. We estimate the total costs of the conventionally moored rig (including capitalized interest) will be $570 million to $590 million, while the costs (including capitalized interest) to construct the dynamically positioned rig is expected to be $750 million to $775 million. Assuming no additional growth, we estimate that our total capital expenditures for fiscal year 2008 will be approximately $490 million. Of this amount, $80 million relates to the completion of the construction of the ATWOOD AURORA and $370 million relates to the construction of the two new semisubmersible drilling units. Based upon the current expected capital commitments for fiscal year 2008, we expect to end fiscal year 2008 with outstanding long-term debt of between $200 million and $250 million and a debt to total capitalization ratio of between 20% and 25%.

Since we operate in a very cyclical industry, maintaining high equipment utilization in up, as well as in down cycles is a key factor in generating cash to satisfy current and future obligations. For fiscal years 2001 through 2007, net cash provided by operating activities ranged from a low of approximately $14 million in fiscal year 2003 to a high of approximately $191 million in fiscal year 2007. For the nine months ended June 30, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities totaled approximately $137 million. Our operating cash flows are primarily driven by our operating income, which reflects dayrates and rig utilization. During the first three quarters of fiscal year 2008, we used our cash flows generated from operations and proceeds from our credit facility to fund approximately $115 million toward the construction of our conventionally moored semisubmersible drilling unit, approximately $51 million toward the construction of the ATWOOD AURORA, approximately $17 million toward the life enhancing upgrade of the RICHMOND and approximately $10 million in other capital expenditures. We had cash and cash equivalents on hand at June 30, 2008 of approximately $201 million. In early July 2008, we made a $113 million initial down payment from our cash on hand toward the construction of our dynamically positioned semisubmersible drilling unit.


Our portfolio of accounts receivable is comprised of major international corporate entities with stable payment experience. Historically, we have not encountered significant difficulty in collecting receivables and typically do not require collateral for our receivables. The increase in accounts receivable of approximately $35 million from September 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008 is primarily attributable to several of our drilling units working under significantly higher dayrate contracts during fiscal year 2008 and to a large outstanding balance due from one customer that is expected to be collected during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

The increase of inventories of materials and supplies of approximately $7 million from September 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008 is primarily due to an increased level of purchasing activity during the current fiscal year related to high dollar value critical spare parts for our fleet.

Prepaid expenses and deferred costs have decreased by approximately $7 million at June 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007 due to the amortization of annual rig insurance premiums which are generally renewed and paid for during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

The increase of accounts payable and accrued liabilities of approximately $5 million and $17 million, respectively, from September 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008 is primarily due to a higher amount of accrued but unpaid purchases of capital equipment related to our current construction projects and a higher amount of accrued but unpaid taxes when compared to the prior fiscal year end.

Long-term deferred credits have decreased by approximately $13 million at June 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007 due to the amortization of deferred fees associated with the prior upgrades of the ATWOOD FALCON and SEAHAWK. Lump sum fees received for upgrade costs reimbursed by our customers are reported as deferred credits in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized as earned on a straight-line method over the term of the related drilling contract.


PART I. ITEM 3

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 

     We are exposed to market risk, including adverse changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates as discussed below.
 

INTEREST RATE RISK

     All of our $170 million of long-term debt outstanding at June 30, 2008, was floating rate debt. As a result, our annual interest costs in fiscal year 2008 will fluctuate based on interest rate changes. Because the interest rate on our long-term debt is a floating rate, the fair value of our long-term debt approximated carrying value as of June 30, 2008. The impact on annual cash flow of a 10% change in the floating rate (approximately 35 basis points) would be approximately $0.6 million, which we believe to be immaterial. We did not have any open derivative contracts relating to our floating rate debt at June 30, 2008.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

     Certain of our subsidiaries have monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than their functional currencies. Based on June 30, 2008 amounts, a decrease in the value of 10% in the foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar from the year-end exchange rates would result in a foreign currency transaction gain of approximately $1.1 million. Thus, we consider our current risk exposure to foreign currency exchange rate movements, based on net cash flows, to be immaterial. We did not have any open derivative contracts relating to foreign currencies at June 30, 2008.
 
 


PART I. ITEM 4

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)     

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures



Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report have been designed and are effective at the reasonable assurance level so that the information required to be disclosed by us in our periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules, regulations and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We believe that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

(b)     

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting



No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits
 

3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation dated February 9, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.2     Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation dated February 14, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.3     Second Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated May 5, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.4     Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated June 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

4.1     Rights Agreement dated effective October 18, 2002 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-A filed October 21, 2002).

4.2     Certificate of Adjustment of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated as of March 17, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-K filed March 23, 2006).

4.3     Certificate of Adjustment of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated as of June 25, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-K filed June 25, 2008).

4.4     See Exhibit Nos. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 hereof for provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation (as amended) and Second Amended and Restated By-Laws (as amended) defining the rights of our shareholders (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

*10.1     Construction Contract between Atwood Oceanics Pacific Limited and Jurong Shipyard Pte. Ltd. dated July 4, 2008.

*31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
*31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

*32.1     Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes –  Oxley Act of 2002.
 

*32.2     Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002.

*Filed herewith


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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

                                         (Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date: August 8, 2008                                                                    /s
/JAMES M. HOLLAND_

                                                                                                    James M. Holland

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO.                    DESCRIPTION

3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation dated February 9, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.2     Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation dated February 14, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.3     Second Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated May 5, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

3.4     Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated June 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008).

4.1     Rights Agreement dated effective October 18, 2002 between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-A filed October 21, 2002).

4.2     Certificate of Adjustment of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated as of March 17, 2006 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-K filed March 23, 2006).

4.3     Certificate of Adjustment of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. dated as of June 25, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of our Form 8-K filed June 25, 2008).

4.4     See Exhibit Nos. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 hereof for provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation (as amended) and Second Amended and Restated By-Laws (as amended) defining the rights of our shareholders (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of our Form 10-Q filed May 12, 2008). 

 

*10.1 Construction Contract between Atwood Oceanics Pacific Limited and Jurong       Shipyard  Pte. Ltd. dated July 4, 2008.

  *31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
  *31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

              *32.1  Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes –                         Oxley Act of 2002. 

              *32.2  Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes –                         Oxley Act of 2002.

*Filed herewith