Unassociated Document


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
____________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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


DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED:  JUNE 22, 2010


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)

IRS Employer Identification No. 74-1611874

15835 Park Ten Place Drive, Houston, Texas, 77084
(281) 749-7800
____________

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))

 
 
 

 
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”) will record an approximate $12.5 million valuation allowance related to its total United States net operating loss carryforwards ("NOL's") during the quarter ending June 30, 2010.  Even though these NOL’s do not commence expiring until 2028, due to the current uncertainties in the United States offshore drilling market, including uncertainties resulting from the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico, management cannot be assured that sufficient future United States taxable income will be generated by the Company in order to utilize these NOL’s. In addition, if any future NOL’s are generated, they will be fully reserved until we are sufficiently assured of their utilization.

The recording of this valuation allowance will result in an approximate $12.5 million charge to deferred income tax expense for the quarter ending June 30, 2010 (an approximate $0.20 reduction in diluted earnings per common share for the quarter).  We expect that our overall effective tax rate for the quarter ending June 30, 2010 to be around 33% and for fiscal year 2010 around 21%.

           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 and industry 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.




 

 
 
 

 


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:    June 22, 2010