Helmerich & Payne, Inc. - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PART IV

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission file number 1-4221

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

         Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

         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 filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

         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.

         Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         At March 31, 2016, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $6.2 billion.

         Number of shares of common stock outstanding at November 11, 2016:    108,177,217.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions of the Registrant's 2017 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March 1, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. The 2017 Proxy Statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Form 10-K relates.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-K, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Registrant's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", or "continue" or the negative thereof or similar terminology. Although the Registrant believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Registrant's expectations or results discussed in the forward-looking statements are disclosed in this Form 10-K under Item 1A—"Risk Factors", as well as in Item 7—"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Registrant, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. The Registrant assumes no duty to update or revise its forward-looking statements based on changes in internal estimates, expectations or otherwise, except as required by law.

Table of Contents

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1.    BUSINESS

        Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (which together with its subsidiaries is identified as the "Company", "we", "us" or "our," except where stated or the context requires otherwise), was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 3, 1940, and is successor to a business originally organized in 1920. We are primarily engaged in contract drilling of oil and gas wells for others and this business accounts for almost all of our operating revenues.

        Our contract drilling business is composed of three reportable business segments: U.S. Land, Offshore and International Land. During fiscal 2016, our U.S. Land operations drilled primarily in Oklahoma, California, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Mexico and North Dakota. Offshore operations were conducted in the Gulf of Mexico and Equatorial Guinea. Our International Land segment conducted drilling operations in five international locations during fiscal 2016: Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates ("UAE").

        We are also engaged in the ownership, development and operation of commercial real estate and the research and development of rotary steerable technology. Our real estate investments located exclusively within Tulsa, Oklahoma, include a shopping center containing approximately 441,000 leasable square feet, multi-tenant industrial warehouse properties containing approximately one million leasable square feet and approximately 210 acres of undeveloped real estate. Since 2008, our subsidiary, TerraVici Drilling Solutions, Inc., has pursued the development of patented rotary steerable technology as a means to enhance our horizontal and directional drilling services. We expect to continue research and development of this and other technology in 2017. Each of the businesses operates independently of the others through wholly-owned subsidiaries. This operating decentralization is balanced by centralized finance and legal organizations.

CONTRACT DRILLING

General

        We believe that we are one of the major land and offshore platform drilling contractors in the western hemisphere. Operating principally in North and South America, we specialize in shallow to deep drilling in oil and gas producing basins of the United States and in drilling for oil and gas in international locations. In the United States, we draw our customers primarily from the major oil companies and the larger independent oil companies. In South America, our current customers include major international and national oil companies.

        In fiscal 2016, we received approximately 68 percent of our consolidated operating revenues from our ten largest contract drilling customers. Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Continental Resources and Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales (respectively, "Oxy", "Continental" and "YPF"), including their affiliates, are our three largest contract drilling customers. We perform drilling services for Oxy on a world-wide basis, Continental in U.S. land operations and YPF in Argentina. Revenues from drilling services performed for Oxy, Continental and YPF in fiscal 2016 accounted for approximately 30 percent, 18 percent and 15 percent, respectively, of our consolidated operating revenues for the same period.

Rigs, Equipment, R&D, Facilities, and Environmental Compliance

        We provide drilling rigs, equipment, personnel and camps on a contract basis. These services are provided so that our customers may explore for and develop oil and gas from onshore areas and from fixed platforms, tension-leg platforms and spars in offshore areas. Each of the drilling rigs consists of engines, drawworks, a mast, pumps, blowout preventers, a drill string and related equipment. The intended well depth and the drilling site conditions are the principal factors that determine the size and

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type of rig most suitable for a particular drilling job. A land drilling rig may be moved from location to location without modification to the rig. A platform rig is specifically designed to perform drilling operations upon a particular platform. While a platform rig may be moved from its original platform, significant expense is incurred to modify a platform rig for operation on each subsequent platform. In addition to traditional platform rigs, we operate self-moving platform drilling rigs and drilling rigs to be used on tension-leg platforms and spars. The self-moving rig is designed to be moved without the use of expensive derrick barges. The tension-leg platforms and spars allow drilling operations to be conducted in much deeper water than traditional fixed platforms.

        Mechanical rigs rely on belts, pulleys and other mechanical devices to control drilling speed and other rig processes. As such, mechanical rigs are not highly efficient or precise in their operation. In contrast to mechanical rigs, SCR rigs rely on direct current for power. This enables motor speed to be controlled by changing electrical voltage. Compared to mechanical rigs, SCR rigs operate with greater efficiency, more power and better control. AC rigs provide for even greater efficiency and flexibility than what can be achieved with mechanical or SCR rigs. AC rigs use a variable frequency drive that allows motor speed to be manipulated via changes to electrical frequency. The variable frequency drive permits greater control of motor speed for more precision. Among other attributes, AC rigs are electrically more efficient, produce more torque, utilize regenerative braking, have digital controls and AC motors require less maintenance.

        During the mid-1990's, we undertook an initiative to use our land and offshore platform drilling experience to develop a new generation of drilling rigs that would be safer, faster-moving and more capable than mechanical rigs. In 1998, we put to work a new generation of highly mobile/depth flexible land drilling rigs (individually the "FlexRig®"). Since the introduction of our FlexRigs, we have focused on designing and building high-performance, high-efficiency rigs to be used exclusively in our contract drilling business. We believed that over time FlexRigs would displace older less capable rigs. With the advent of unconventional shale plays, our AC drive FlexRigs have proven to be particularly well suited for more complex horizontal drilling requirements. The FlexRig has been able to significantly reduce average rig move and drilling times compared to similar depth-rated traditional land rigs. In addition, the FlexRig allows greater depth flexibility and provides greater operating efficiency. The original rigs were designated as FlexRig1 and FlexRig2 rigs and were designed to drill wells with a depth of between 8,000 and 18,000 feet. In 2001, we announced that we would build the next generation of FlexRigs, known as "FlexRig3", which incorporated new drilling technology and new environmental and safety design. This new design included integrated top drive, AC electric drive, hydraulic BOP handling system, hydraulic tubular make-up and break-out system, split crown and traveling blocks and an enlarged drill floor that enables simultaneous crew activities. FlexRig3s are designed to target well depths of between 8,000 and 22,000 feet.

        In 2006, we placed into service our first FlexRig4. While FlexRig4s are similar to our FlexRig3s, the FlexRig4s are designed to efficiently drill more shallow depth wells of between 4,000 and 18,000 feet. The FlexRig4 design includes a trailerized version and a skidding version, which incorporate additional environmental and safety designs. This design permits the installation of a pipe handling system which allows the rig to be more efficiently operated and eliminates the need for a casing stabber in the mast. While the FlexRig4 trailerized version provides for more efficient well site to well site rig moves, the skidding version allows for drilling of up to 22 wells from a single pad which results in reduced environmental impact. In 2011, we announced the introduction of the FlexRig5 design. The FlexRig5 is suited for long lateral drilling of multiple wells from a single location, which is well suited for unconventional shale reservoirs. The new design preserves the key performance features of FlexRig3 combined with a bi-directional pad drilling system and equipment capacities suitable for wells in excess of 25,000 feet of measured depth.

        Industry trends toward more complex drilling have accelerated the retirement of less capable mechanical rigs. Over time our mechanical rigs have been sold or decommissioned as we added new

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AC drive rigs to our fleet. The decommission of our remaining seven mechanical rigs in fiscal 2011 marked the end of a multi-year evolution in the high-grading of our fleet from mechanical rigs to high-efficiency, high-performance rigs. In fiscal 2015, we also decommissioned 23 of our 37 remaining SCR rigs including six of the eight 3,000 horsepower conventional rigs in our U.S. Land fleet, all six of our FlexRig1 SCR rigs and all 11 of our FlexRig2 SCR rigs. In fiscal 2016, we did not decommission any of our remaining 14 SCR rigs.

        Since 1998, we have built 232 FlexRig3s, 88 FlexRig4s, and 52 FlexRig5s with 367 of those delivered to the field. Of the total 372 AC drive FlexRigs built through September 30, 2016, 157 have been built in the last five fiscal years. As of November 17, 2016, there was one additional FlexRig under construction. Additionally, five previously completed FlexRigs are scheduled for delivery to the field at a later date per the request of certain customers.

        The effective use of technology is important to the maintenance of our competitive position within the drilling industry. We expect to continue to focus on new technology solutions and applications in the future. Our research and development expense totaled $10.3 million in fiscal 2016, $16.1 million in fiscal 2015, and $15.9 million in fiscal 2014.

        We currently have three facilities that provide vertically integrated solutions for drilling rig fabrication, upgrades, retrofits and modifications, as well as overhauling and repairing of drilling rigs, equipment and associated component parts. We have a gulf coast fabrication and assembly facility near Houston, Texas as well as a 123,000 square foot fabrication facility located on approximately 11 acres near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Additionally, we lease a 150,000 square foot industrial facility near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

        Our business is subject to various federal, state and local laws enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. We do not anticipate that compliance with currently applicable environmental regulations and controls will significantly change our competitive position, capital spending or earnings during fiscal 2017. For further information on environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations, see Item 1A—"Risk Factors".

Industry / Competitive Conditions

        Our business largely depends on the level of capital spending by oil and gas companies for exploration, development and production activities. Sustained increases or decreases in the price of oil and natural gas generally have a material impact on the exploration, development and production activities of our customers. As such, significant declines in the price of oil and natural gas may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Oil prices have declined significantly since 2014 when prices exceeded $100 per barrel. While oil prices have rebounded modestly from lows observed in early 2016, the decline in prices continued to negatively affect demand for services in fiscal 2016. Specifically, at the close of fiscal 2016 we had 118 contracted rigs, compared to 168 contracted rigs at the close of fiscal 2015 and 325 contracted rigs at the close of fiscal 2014. In addition, and in light of the price of oil and the status of the drilling industry and our rig fleet, in fiscal 2015 we performed an impairment evaluation of all our long-lived drilling assets in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. Our evaluation resulted in $39.2 million of impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of seven SCR land rigs within our International Land segment to their estimated fair value. Similarly, during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 we recorded a $6.3 million impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of certain rig and rig related equipment classified as held for sale in our U.S. Land segment to their estimated fair values. While we continue to periodically perform impairment evaluations, no additional impairments were identified in fiscal 2016 for any rigs in our domestic, international or offshore fleets. For further information concerning risks associated with our business, including volatility surrounding oil and natural gas prices and the impact of low oil prices

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on our business, see Item 1A—"Risk Factors" and Item 7—"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in this Form 10-K.

        Our industry is highly competitive. The land drilling market is generally more competitive than the offshore market due to the larger number of drilling rigs and market participants. While we strive to differentiate our services based upon the quality of our FlexRigs and our engineering design expertise, operational efficiency, safety and environmental awareness, the number of available rigs generally exceeds demand in many of our markets, resulting in strong price competition. In all of our geographic markets the ability to deliver rigs with new technology and features is also a significant factor in determining which drilling contractor is awarded a job. In recent years, rigs equipped with moving systems and configured to accommodate drilling of multiple wells on a single site have offered a competitive advantage. Other factors include quality of service and safety record, the availability and condition of equipment, the availability of trained personnel possessing specialized skills, experience in operating in certain environments, and relationships with customers.

        We compete against many drilling companies and certain competitors are present in more than one of our operating regions. In the United States, we compete with Nabors Industries Ltd., Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. and many other competitors with regional operations. Internationally, we compete directly with various contractors at each location where we operate. In the Gulf of Mexico platform rig market, we primarily compete with Nabors Industries Ltd. and Blake International Rigs, LLC.

Drilling Contracts

        Our drilling contracts are obtained through competitive bidding or as a result of negotiations with customers, and often cover multi-well and multi-year projects. Each drilling rig operates under a separate drilling contract. During fiscal 2016, all drilling services were performed on a "daywork" contract basis, under which we charge a fixed rate per day, with the price determined by the location, depth and complexity of the well to be drilled, operating conditions, the duration of the contract, and the competitive forces of the market. We have previously performed contracts on a combination "footage" and "daywork" basis, under which we charged a fixed rate per foot of hole drilled to a stated depth, usually no deeper than 15,000 feet, and a fixed rate per day for the remainder of the hole. Contracts performed on a "footage" basis involve a greater element of risk to the contractor than do contracts performed on a "daywork" basis. Also, we have previously accepted "turnkey" contracts under which we charge a fixed sum to deliver a hole to a stated depth and agree to furnish services such as testing, coring and casing the hole which are not normally done on a "footage" basis. "Turnkey" contracts entail varying degrees of risk greater than the usual "footage" contract. We have not accepted any "footage" or "turnkey" contracts in over fifteen years. We believe that under current market conditions, "footage" and "turnkey" contract rates do not adequately compensate us for the added risks. The duration of our drilling contracts are "well-to-well" or for a fixed term. "Well-to-well" contracts are cancelable at the option of either party upon the completion of drilling at any one site. Fixed-term contracts generally have a minimum term of at least six months but customarily provide for termination at the election of the customer, with an "early termination payment" to be paid to us if a contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the fixed term. However, under certain limited circumstances such as destruction of a drilling rig, our bankruptcy, sustained unacceptable performance by us or delivery of a rig beyond certain grace and/or liquidated damage periods, no early termination payment would be paid to us.

        Contracts generally contain renewal or extension provisions exercisable at the option of the customer at prices mutually agreeable to us and the customer. In most instances contracts provide for additional payments for mobilization and demobilization.

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        As of September 30, 2016, we had 88 existing rigs under fixed-term contracts. While the original duration for these current fixed-term contracts are for six-month to five-year periods, some fixed-term and well-to-well contracts are expected to be extended for longer periods than the original terms. However, the contracting parties have no legal obligation to extend these contracts and some customers may elect to early terminate fixed-term contracts as discussed above.

Backlog

        Our contract drilling backlog, being the expected future revenue from executed contracts with original terms in excess of one year, as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $1.8 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. The decrease in backlog at September 30, 2016 from September 30, 2015, is primarily due to the revenue earned since September 30, 2015 and the expiration and termination of long-term contracts. Approximately 53.2 percent of the total September 30, 2016 backlog is not reasonably expected to be filled in fiscal 2017. A small portion of the backlog represents term contracts for new rigs that will begin operations in the future.

        The following table sets forth the total backlog by reportable segment as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the percentage of the September 30, 2016 backlog not reasonably expected to be filled in fiscal 2017:

        As noted above, under certain limited circumstances a customer is not required to pay an early termination fee. There may also be instances where a customer is financially unable or refuses to pay an early termination fee. Accordingly, the actual amount of revenue earned may vary from the backlog reported. For further information, see Item 1A—"Risk Factors".

U.S. Land Drilling

        At the end of September 2016, 2015, and 2014, we had 348, 343 and 329, respectively, of our land rigs available for work in the United States. The total number of rigs at the end of fiscal 2016 increased by a net of five rigs from the end of fiscal 2015. The net increase is due to five new FlexRigs completed in 2016. Our U.S. Land operations contributed approximately 77 percent ($1.2 billion) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2016, compared with approximately 80 percent ($2.5 billion) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2015 and approximately 83 percent ($3.1 billion) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2014. Rig utilization was approximately 30 percent in fiscal 2016, approximately 62 percent in fiscal 2015 and approximately 86 percent in fiscal 2014. A rig is considered to be utilized when it is operated or being mobilized or demobilized under contract. At the close of fiscal 2016, 95 out of an available 348 land rigs were generating revenue.

Offshore Drilling

        Our Offshore operations contributed approximately 9 percent in fiscal year 2016 ($138.6 million) of our consolidated operating revenues compared to approximately 8 percent ($241.7 million) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2015 and 7 percent ($251.3 million) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2014. Rig utilization in fiscal 2016 was approximately 82 percent

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compared to approximately 93 percent in fiscal 2015 and 89 percent in fiscal 2014. At the end of fiscal 2016, we had seven of our nine offshore platform rigs under contract compared to eight at the end of fiscal 2015. We continued to work under management contracts for two customer-owned rigs at the close of fiscal 2016. Revenues from drilling services performed for our largest offshore drilling customer totaled approximately 61percent ($84.1 million) of offshore revenues during fiscal 2016.

International Land Drilling

General

        Prior to September 30, 2015, for financial reporting purposes, fiscal years of our foreign operations ended on August 31 to facilitate reporting of consolidated results, resulting in a one-month reporting lag when compared to the remainder of the Company. Starting October 1, 2015, the reporting year-end of these foreign operations was changed from August 31 to September 30 eliminating the previously existing one-month reporting lag. Accordingly, the results of operations below have been changed to reflect the period-specific effects of this change, unless otherwise noted. See Note 1—"Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" included in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K for additional information regarding this change.

        At the end of September 2016 and 2015, we had 38 land rigs available for work in locations outside of the United States compared to 36 land rigs at the end of 2014. Our International Land operations contributed approximately 14 percent ($229.9 million) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2016, compared with approximately 12 percent ($382.3 million) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2015 and 9 percent ($351.3 million) of consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2014. Rig utilization in fiscal 2016 was 39 percent, 51 percent in fiscal 2015 and 74 percent in fiscal 2014. Our international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties not typically encountered in U.S. operations. For further information on various risks associated with doing business in foreign countries, see Item 1A—"Risk Factors.

Argentina

        At the end of fiscal 2016, we had 19 rigs in Argentina. Our utilization rate was approximately 54 percent during fiscal 2016, approximately 57 percent during fiscal 2015 and approximately 77 percent during fiscal 2014. Revenues generated by Argentine drilling operations contributed approximately 10 percent in fiscal 2016 ($159.4 million) of our consolidated operating revenues compared to approximately 6 percent ($178.0 million) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2015 and approximately 3 percent ($107.2 million) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2014. Revenues from drilling services performed for our two largest customers in Argentina totaled approximately 9 percent of consolidated operating revenues and approximately 66 percent of international operating revenues during fiscal 2016. The Argentine drilling contracts are primarily with large international or national oil companies.

Colombia

        At the end of fiscal 2016, we had eight rigs in Colombia. Our utilization rate was approximately 13 percent during fiscal 2016, approximately 48 percent during fiscal 2015 and approximately 62 percent during fiscal 2014. Revenues generated by Colombian drilling operations contributed approximately 1 percent in fiscal 2016 ($20.5 million) of our consolidated operating revenues compared to approximately 2 percent ($70.1 million) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2015 and approximately 2 percent ($81.2 million) of our consolidated operating revenues during fiscal 2014. Revenues from drilling services performed for our two customers in Colombia totaled approximately 1 percent of consolidated operating revenues and approximately 9 percent of international operating

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revenues during fiscal 2016. The Colombian drilling contracts are primarily with large international or national oil companies.

Ecuador

        At the end of fiscal 2016, we had six rigs in Ecuador. The utilization rate in Ecuador was 4 percent in fiscal 2016, compared to 29 percent in fiscal 2015 and 83 percent in fiscal 2014. Revenues generated by Ecuadorian drilling operations contributed less than 1 percent ($4.9 million) during fiscal 2016 of our consolidated operating revenues compared to approximately 1 percent during fiscal 2015 ($31.0 million) of our consolidated operating revenues and 2 percent in fiscal 2014 ($68.0 million) of our consolidated operating revenues. At the end of fiscal 2016 all of our rigs in Ecuador were idle. The rigs in Ecuador, along with other rig related assets, were classified as held for sale at September 30, 2016.

UAE—Abu Dhabi

        At the end of fiscal 2016, we had two rigs in the UAE. The utilization rate in the UAE was 100 percent in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and in fiscal 2014. Revenues generated by drilling operations in the UAE contributed 2 percent ($34.6 million) during fiscal 2016 of our consolidated operating revenues compared to approximately 2 percent during fiscal 2015 ($47.7 million) of our consolidated operating revenues and 1 percent during fiscal 2014 ($48.5 million) of our consolidated operating revenues. The UAE drilling contracts are with a single national oil company that contributed approximately 15 percent of international operating revenues during fiscal 2016.

Bahrain

        At the end of fiscal 2016, we had three rigs in Bahrain. The utilization rate in Bahrain was 33 percent in fiscal 2016, compared to 56 percent in fiscal 2015 and 100 percent in fiscal 2014. Revenues generated by drilling operations in Bahrain contributed 1 percent during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 ($10.2 million, $41.9 million and $33.2 million, respectively) of our consolidated operating revenues. Bahrain drilling contracts are with a single national oil company that contributed approximately 4 percent of international operating revenues during fiscal 2016.

FINANCIAL

        For information relating to revenues, total assets and operating income by reportable operating segments, see Note 14—"Segment Information" included in Item 8—"Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

EMPLOYEES

        We had 4,116 employees within the United States (5 of which were part-time employees) and 724 employees in international operations as of September 30, 2016.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        Our website is located at www.hpinc.com. Annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, earnings releases, and financial statements are made available free of charge on the investor relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on our website, or available by hyperlink from our website, is not incorporated into this Form 10-K or other documents we file with, or furnish to, the SEC. Annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports, amendments to those reports, earnings releases, financial

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statements and our various corporate governance documents are also available free of charge upon written request.

Item 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        In addition to the risk factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, we caution that the following "Risk Factors" could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business depends on the level of activity in the oil and natural gas industry, which is significantly impacted by the volatility of oil and natural gas prices and other factors.

        Our business depends on the conditions of the land and offshore oil and natural gas industry. Demand for our services depends on oil and natural gas industry exploration and production activity and expenditure levels, which are directly affected by trends in oil and natural gas prices. Oil and natural gas prices, and market expectations regarding potential changes to these prices, significantly affect oil and natural gas industry activity.

        Oil prices declined significantly during the second half of 2014. Volatility and the overall decline in prices continued through 2015 and into early 2016. For example, in July of 2014 oil prices exceeded $100 per barrel. Oil prices dropped below $30 per barrel in early 2016. In recent months oil prices have generally remained below $50 per barrel. In response to the downward trend in prices, many of our customers reduced their capital spending budgets for 2015 and 2016. As such, demand for our drilling services declined further in the first half of fiscal 2016. We have, however, experienced an increase in demand and activity since May of 2016. At December 31, 2014, 294 out of an available 337 land rigs were working in the U.S. Land segment. In contrast, at September 30, 2016, 95 out of an available 348 land rigs were contracted in the U.S. Land segment. As of November 17, 2016, 105 rigs were contracted in the U.S. Land segment. In the event oil prices remain depressed for a sustained period, or decline again, our U.S. Land, International Land and Offshore segments may again experience significant declines in both drilling activity and spot dayrate pricing which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Oil and natural gas prices are impacted by many factors beyond our control, including:

•

the demand for oil and natural gas;



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the cost of exploring for, developing, producing and delivering oil and natural gas;



•

the worldwide economy;



•

expectations about future oil and natural gas prices;



•

the desire and ability of The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") to set and maintain production levels and pricing;



•

the level of production by OPEC and non-OPEC countries;



•

the continued development of shale plays which may influence worldwide supply and prices;



•

domestic and international tax policies;



•

political and military conflicts in oil producing regions or other geographical areas or acts of terrorism in the U.S. or elsewhere;



•

technological advances;

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•

the development and exploitation of alternative fuels;



•

legal and other limitations or restrictions on exportation and/or importation of oil and natural gas;



•

local and international political, economic and weather conditions; and



•

the environmental and other laws and governmental regulations regarding exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves.

The level of land and offshore exploration, development and production activity and the price for oil and natural gas is volatile and is likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Higher oil and natural gas prices do not necessarily translate into increased activity because demand for our services is typically driven by our customer's expectations of future commodity prices. However, a sustained decline in worldwide demand for oil and natural gas or prolonged low oil or natural gas prices would likely result in reduced exploration and development of land and offshore areas and a decline in the demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our offshore and land operations are subject to a number of operational risks, including environmental and weather risks, which could expose us to significant losses and damage claims. We are not fully insured against all of these risks and our contractual indemnity provisions may not fully protect us.

        Our drilling operations are subject to the many hazards inherent in the business, including inclement weather, blowouts, well fires, loss of well control, pollution, and reservoir damage. These hazards could cause significant environmental damage, personal injury and death, suspension of drilling operations, serious damage or destruction of equipment and property and substantial damage to producing formations and surrounding lands and waters.

        Our Offshore drilling operations are also subject to potentially greater environmental liability, including pollution of offshore waters and related negative impact on wildlife and habitat, adverse sea conditions and platform damage or destruction due to collision with aircraft or marine vessels. Our Offshore operations may also be negatively affected by blowouts or uncontrolled release of oil by third parties whose offshore operations are unrelated to our operations. We operate several platform rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico experiences hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions on a frequent basis, the frequency of which may increase with any climate change. Damage caused by high winds and turbulent seas could potentially curtail operations on such platform rigs for significant periods of time until the damage can be repaired. Moreover, even if our platform rigs are not directly damaged by such storms, we may experience disruptions in operations due to damage to customer platforms and other related facilities in the area.

        We have a facility located near the Houston, Texas ship channel where we upgrade and repair rigs and perform fabrication work, and our principal fabricator and other vendors are also located in the gulf coast region. Due to their location, these facilities are exposed to potentially greater hurricane damage.

        We have indemnification agreements with many of our customers and we also maintain liability and other forms of insurance. In general, our drilling contracts contain provisions requiring our customers to indemnify us for, among other things, pollution and reservoir damage. However, our contractual rights to indemnification may be unenforceable or limited due to negligent or willful acts by us, our subcontractors and/or suppliers or by reason of state anti-indemnity laws. Our customers and other third parties may also dispute, or be unable to meet, their contractual indemnification obligations to us. Accordingly, we may be unable to transfer these risks to our drilling customers and other third parties by contract or indemnification agreements. Incurring a liability for which we are not fully

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indemnified or insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        With the exception of "named wind storm" risk in the Gulf of Mexico, we insure rigs and related equipment at values that approximate the current replacement cost on the inception date of the policies. However, we self-insure large deductibles under these policies. We also carry insurance with varying deductibles and coverage limits with respect to offshore platform rigs and "named wind storm" risk in the Gulf of Mexico.

        We have insurance coverage for comprehensive general liability, automobile liability, worker's compensation and employer's liability, and certain other specific risks. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. We retain a significant portion of our expected losses under our worker's compensation, general liability and automobile liability programs. The Company self-insures a number of other risks including loss of earnings and business interruption, and most cyber risks. We are unable to obtain significant amounts of insurance to cover risks of underground reservoir damage.

        If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or an enforceable or recoverable indemnity from a customer, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our insurance will not in all situations provide sufficient funds to protect us from all liabilities that could result from our drilling operations. Our coverage includes aggregate policy limits. As a result, we retain the risk for any loss in excess of these limits. No assurance can be given that all or a portion of our coverage will not be cancelled during fiscal 2017, that insurance coverage will continue to be available at rates considered reasonable or that our coverage will respond to a specific loss. Further, we may experience difficulties in collecting from our insurers or our insurers may deny all or a portion of our claims for insurance coverage.

A tepid or deteriorating global economy may affect our business.

        As a result of volatility in oil and natural gas prices and a tepid global economic environment, we are unable to determine whether our customers will maintain or increase spending on exploration and development drilling or whether customers and/or vendors and suppliers will be able to access financing necessary to sustain or increase their current level of operations, fulfill their commitments and/or fund future operations and obligations. In the event the global economic environment remains tepid or deteriorates, industry fundamentals may be impacted and result in stagnant or reduced demand for drilling rigs. Furthermore, these factors may result in certain of our customers experiencing bankruptcy or otherwise becoming unable to pay vendors, including us. The global economic environment in the past has experienced significant deterioration in a relatively short period of time and there can be no assurance that the global economic environment will not quickly deteriorate again due to one or more factors. These conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The contract drilling business is highly competitive and an excess of available drilling rigs may adversely affect our rig utilization and profit margins.

        Competition in contract drilling involves such factors as price, rig availability and excess rig capacity in the industry, efficiency, condition and type of equipment, reputation, operating safety, environmental impact, and customer relations. Competition is primarily on a regional basis and may vary significantly by region at any particular time. Land drilling rigs can be readily moved from one region to another in response to changes in levels of activity, and an oversupply of rigs in any region may result, leading to increased price competition.

        Although many contracts for drilling services are awarded based solely on price, we have been successful in establishing long-term relationships with certain customers which have allowed us to

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secure drilling work even though we may not have been the lowest bidder for such work. We have continued to attempt to differentiate our services based upon our FlexRigs and our engineering design expertise, operational efficiency, safety and environmental awareness. However, development of new drilling technology by competitors has increased in recent years and future improvements in operational efficiency and safety by our competitors could further negatively affect our ability to differentiate our services. Also, the strategy of differentiation is less effective during low commodity price environments when lower demand for drilling services intensifies price competition and makes it more difficult or impossible to compete on any basis other than price.

        The oil and natural gas services industry in the United States has experienced downturns in demand during the last decade, including a significant downturn that started in 2014. Today, as was the case in past downturns, there are substantially more drilling rigs available than necessary to meet demand. As a result of the current excess of available and more competitive drilling rigs, we may be unable to replace fixed-term contracts that were terminated early, extend expiring contracts or obtain new contracts in the spot market, and the day rates (and other material terms) under any new contracts may be on substantially less favorable rates and terms. As such, we may have difficulty sustaining rig utilization and profit margins in the future, we may lose market share and price may become the primary factor in the award of contracts for drilling services.

The loss of one or a number of our large customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        In fiscal 2016, we received approximately 68 percent of our consolidated operating revenues from our ten largest contract drilling customers and approximately 30 percent of our consolidated operating revenues from our three largest customers (including their affiliates). We believe that our relationship with all of these customers is good; however, the loss of one or more of our larger customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

New technologies may cause our drilling methods and equipment to become less competitive, higher levels of capital expenditures may be necessary to keep pace with the bifurcation of the drilling industry, and growth through the building of new drilling rigs and improvement of existing rigs is not assured.

        The market for our services is characterized by continual technological developments that have resulted in, and will likely continue to result in, substantial improvements in the functionality and performance of rigs and equipment. Our customers increasingly demand the services of newer, higher specification drilling rigs. This results in a bifurcation of the drilling fleet and is evidenced by the higher specification drilling rigs (e.g., AC rigs) generally operating at higher overall utilization levels and day rates than the lower specification drilling rigs (e.g., mechanical or SCR rigs). In addition, a significant number of lower specification rigs are being stacked and/or removed from service. As a result of this bifurcation, a higher level of capital expenditures will be required to maintain and improve existing rigs and equipment and purchase and construct newer, higher specification drilling rigs to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers.

        Since the late 1990's we have increased our drilling rig fleet through new construction. Although we take measures to ensure that we use advanced oil and natural gas drilling technology, changes in technology or improvements in competitors' equipment could make our equipment less competitive. There can be no assurance that we will:

•

have sufficient capital resources to improve existing rigs or build new, technologically advanced drilling rigs;



•

avoid cost overruns inherent in large fabrication projects resulting from numerous factors such as shortages of equipment, materials and skilled labor, unscheduled delays in delivery of ordered

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equipment and materials, unanticipated increases in costs of equipment, materials and labor, design and engineering problems, and financial or other difficulties;

•

successfully deploy idle, stacked or new drilling rigs;



•

effectively manage the increased size or future growth of our organization and drilling fleet;



•

maintain crews necessary to operate existing or additional drilling rigs; or



•

successfully improve our financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects as a result of improving existing drilling rigs or building new drilling rigs.

        If we are not successful in upgrading existing rigs and equipment or building new rigs in a timely and cost-effective manner suitable to customer needs, we could lose market share. One or more technologies that we may implement in the future may not work as we expect and we may be adversely affected. Additionally, new technologies, services or standards could render some of our services, drilling rigs or equipment obsolete, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

New legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing or other aspects of the oil and gas industry could negatively impact the drilling programs of our customers and, consequently, delay, limit or reduce the drilling services we provide.

        It is a common practice in our industry for our customers to recover natural gas and oil from shale and other formations through the use of horizontal drilling combined with hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of creating or expanding cracks, or fractures, in formations using water, sand and other additives pumped under high pressure into the formation. The hydraulic fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. Several states have adopted or are considering adopting regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, public disclosure, waste disposal and/or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban fracturing activities altogether. In addition to state laws, some local municipalities have adopted or are considering adopting land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, that may restrict or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general and/or hydraulic fracturing in particular. Members of the U.S. Congress and a number of federal agencies are analyzing, or have been requested to review, a variety of environmental issues associated with hydraulic fracturing and the possibility of more stringent regulation. Further, we conduct drilling activities in numerous states, including Oklahoma. In recent years, Oklahoma has experienced an increase in earthquakes. Some parties believe that there is a correlation between hydraulic fracturing related activities and the increased occurrence of seismic activity. The extent of this correlation, if any, is the subject of studies of both state and federal agencies the results of which remain uncertain. Depending on the outcome of these or other studies pertaining to the impact of hydraulic fracturing, federal and state legislatures and agencies may seek to further regulate, restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing activities. Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition to oil and gas production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques, operational delays or increased operating and compliance costs in the production of oil and natural gas from shale plays, added difficulty in performing hydraulic fracturing, and potentially a decline in the completion of new oil and gas wells.

        We do not engage in any hydraulic fracturing activities. However, any new laws, regulations or permitting requirements regarding hydraulic fracturing could negatively impact the drilling programs of our customers and, consequently, delay, limit or reduce the drilling services we provide. Widespread regulation significantly restricting or prohibiting hydraulic fracturing by our customers could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

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We may be required to record impairment charges with respect to our drilling rigs.

        We evaluate our drilling rigs and other property whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may exist when the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. Lower utilization and day rates adversely affect our revenues and profitability. Prolonged periods of low utilization and day rates may result in the recognition of impairment charges on certain of our drilling rigs if future cash flow estimates, based upon information available to management at the time, indicate that the carrying value of these rigs may not be recoverable. For example, in fiscal 2015, we performed an impairment evaluation of all our long-lived drilling assets. Our evaluation resulted in $39.2 million of impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of seven SCR land rigs within our International Land segment to their estimated fair value. Similarly, during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 we recorded a $6.3 million impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of certain rig and rig related equipment classified as held for sale in our U.S. Land segment to their estimated fair values. Although we are actively marketing idle drilling rigs in our fleet, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain future contracts for all of our rigs. As of September 30, 2016, we assessed our idle drilling rigs and determined no additional impairment charges were necessary. However, drilling rigs in our fleet may become impaired in the future if current depressed market conditions are prolonged or if oil and gas prices remain low or decline further.

Department of Interior investigation could adversely affect our business.

        On November 8, 2013, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana approved the previously disclosed October 30, 2013 plea agreement between our wholly owned subsidiary, Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. ("H&PIDC"), and the United States Department of Justice, United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana ("DOJ"). The court's approval of the plea agreement resolved the DOJ's investigation into certain choke manifold testing irregularities that occurred in 2010 at one of H&PIDC's offshore platform rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. We have been engaged in discussions with the Inspector General's office of the Department of Interior regarding the same events that were the subject of the DOJ's investigation. Although we presently believe that the outcome of our discussions will not have a material adverse effect on us, we can provide no assurances as to the timing or eventual outcome of these discussions. Refer to Item 3—"Legal Proceedings" and Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" included in Item 8—"Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K for additional discussion of this subject.

We are subject to the political, economic and social instability risks and local laws associated with doing business in certain foreign countries.

        We currently have operations in South America, the Middle East and Africa. In the future, we may further expand the geographic reach of our operations. As a result, we are exposed to certain political, economic and other uncertainties not encountered in U.S. operations, including increased risks of social unrest, strikes, terrorism, war, kidnapping of employees, nationalization, forced negotiation or modification of contracts, difficulty resolving disputes and enforcing contract provisions, expropriation of equipment as well as expropriation of oil and gas exploration and drilling rights, taxation policies, foreign exchange restrictions and restrictions on repatriation of income and capital, currency rate fluctuations, increased governmental ownership and regulation of the economy and industry in the markets in which we operate, economic and financial instability of national oil companies, and restrictive governmental regulation, bureaucratic delays and general hazards associated with foreign sovereignty over certain areas in which operations are conducted. South American countries, in particular, have historically experienced uneven periods of economic growth, as well as recession, periods of high inflation and general economic and political instability. From time to time these risks

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have impacted our business. For example, on June 30, 2010, the Venezuelan government expropriated 11 rigs and associated real and personal property owned by our Venezuelan subsidiary. Prior thereto, we also experienced currency devaluation losses in Venezuela and difficulty repatriating U.S. dollars to the United States.

        Additionally, there can be no assurance that there will not be changes in local laws, regulations and administrative requirements or the interpretation thereof which could have a material adverse effect on the profitability of our operations or on our ability to continue operations in certain areas. 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 we find acceptable.

        Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during fiscal 2016, approximately 14 percent of our consolidated operating revenues were generated from the international contract drilling business. During fiscal 2016, approximately 80 percent of the international operating revenues were from operations in South America. All of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. 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 operation.

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or foreign anti-bribery legislation could adversely affect our business.

        The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010, generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices and impact our business. Although we have programs in place covering compliance with anti-bribery legislation, any failure to comply with the FCPA or other anti-bribery legislation could subject us to civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operation. We could also face fines, sanctions and other penalties from authorities in the relevant foreign jurisdictions, including prohibition of our participating in or curtailment of business operations in those jurisdictions and the seizure of drilling rigs or other assets.

Failure to comply with governmental and environmental laws could adversely affect our business.

        Many aspects of our operations are subject to government regulation, including those relating to drilling practices, pollution, disposal of hazardous substances and oil field waste. The United States and various other countries have environmental regulations which affect drilling operations. The cost of compliance with these laws could be substantial. A failure to comply with these laws and regulations could expose us to substantial civil and criminal penalties. In addition, environmental laws and regulations in the United States impose a variety of requirements on "responsible parties" related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages from such spills. As an owner and operator of drilling rigs, we may be deemed to be a responsible party under these laws and regulations.

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        We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all legislation and regulations affecting our operations in the drilling of oil and gas wells and in controlling the discharge of wastes. To date, compliance costs have not materially affected our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position, although compliance measures may add to the costs of drilling operations. Additional legislation or regulation may reasonably be anticipated, and the effect thereof on our operations cannot be predicted.

Our current backlog of contract drilling revenue may continue to decline and may not be ultimately realized as fixed-term contracts may in certain instances be terminated without an early termination payment.

        Fixed-term drilling contracts customarily provide for termination at the election of the customer, with an "early termination payment" to be paid to us if a contract is terminated prior to the expiration of the fixed term. However, under certain limited circumstances, such as destruction of a drilling rig, our bankruptcy, sustained unacceptable performance by us or delivery of a rig beyond certain grace and/or liquidated damage periods, no early termination payment would be paid to us. Even if an early termination payment is owed to us, a customer may be unable or may refuse to pay the early termination payment. We also may not be able to perform under these contracts due to events beyond our control, and our customers may seek to cancel or renegotiate our contracts for various reasons, such as depressed market conditions. As of September 30, 2016, our contract drilling backlog was approximately $1.8 billion for future revenues under firm commitments. Our contract drilling backlog may continue to decline as contract term coverage over time may not be offset by new term contracts as a result of the decline in the price of oil and capital spending reductions by our customers. Our inability or the inability of our customers to perform under our or their contractual obligations may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our securities portfolio may lose significant value due to a decline in equity prices and other market-related risks, thus impacting our debt ratio, financial strength, and possibly financial results.

        At September 30, 2016, we had a portfolio of securities with a total fair value of approximately $71.5 million, consisting of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. and Schlumberger, Ltd. The total fair value of the portfolio of securities was $91.5 million at September 30, 2015. These securities are subject to a wide variety of market-related risks that could substantially reduce or increase the fair value of the holdings. The portfolio is recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with changes in unrealized after-tax value reflected in the equity section of the balance sheet unless a decline in fair value below our cost basis is considered to be other than temporary in which case the change is recorded through earnings. Our position in Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (an offshore drilling company severely impacted by the downturn in the energy sector) was in an unrealized loss position for under 30 days at September 30, 2015, and then dropped below cost again in December 2015 and continued to be in a loss position through fiscal 2016. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, we determined the loss was other-than-temporary. As a result, we recognized a $26.0 million other-than-temporary impairment charge. At November 17, 2016, the fair value of the portfolio had decreased to approximately $68.8 million.

We may reduce or suspend our dividend in the future.

        We have paid a quarterly dividend for many years. Our most recent, quarterly dividend was $0.70 per share. In the future, our Board of Directors may, without advance notice, determine to reduce or suspend our dividend in order to maintain our financial flexibility and best position the Company for long-term success. The declaration and amount of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, prospects, industry conditions, capital requirements and other factors and restrictions our Board of Directors deems relevant. The likelihood that dividends will be reduced or suspended is increased during periods of prolonged market weakness. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be limited by agreements

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governing our indebtedness now or in the future. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay a dividend in the future.

Legal proceedings could have a negative impact on our business.

        The nature of our business makes us susceptible to legal proceedings and governmental investigations from time to time. In addition, during periods of depressed market conditions, such as the one we are currently experiencing, we may be subject to an increased risk of our customers, vendors, former employees and others initiating legal proceedings against us. Lawsuits or claims against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any litigation or claims, even if fully indemnified or insured, could negatively affect our reputation among our customers and the public, and make it more difficult for us to compete effectively or obtain adequate insurance in the future.

We depend on a limited number of vendors, some of which are thinly capitalized and the loss of any of which could disrupt our operations.

        Certain key rig components, parts and equipment are either purchased from or fabricated by a single or limited number of vendors, and we have no long-term contracts with many of these vendors. Shortages could occur in these essential components due to an interruption of supply, increased demands in the industry or other reasons beyond our control. Similarly, certain key rig components, parts and equipment are obtained from vendors that are, in some cases, thinly capitalized, independent companies that generate significant portions of their business from us or from a small group of companies in the energy industry. These vendors may be disproportionately affected by any loss of business, downturn in the energy industry or reduction or unavailability of credit. If we are unable to procure certain of such rig components, parts or equipment, our ability to maintain, improve, upgrade or construct drilling rigs could be impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by foreign currency restrictions and devaluation.

        Our contracts for work in foreign countries generally provide for payment in U.S. dollars. However, in Argentina 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. In the future, other contracts or applicable law may require payments to be made in foreign currencies. As such, there can be no assurance that we will not experience in Argentina or elsewhere a devaluation of foreign currency, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars even if we are able to negotiate contract provisions designed to mitigate such risks. In December 2015, the Argentine peso experienced a sharp devaluation resulting in an aggregate foreign currency loss of $8.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015. Subsequent to the sharp devaluation, the Argentine peso has significantly stabilized and the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market controls place fewer restrictions on repatriating U.S. dollars. However, in the future we may incur currency devaluations, foreign exchange restrictions or other difficulties repatriating U.S. dollars in Argentina or elsewhere which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may have additional tax liabilities.

        We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous other jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are regularly audited by tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are

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reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different than what is reflected in income tax provisions and accruals. An audit or litigation could materially affect our financial position, income tax provision, net income, or cash flows in the period or periods challenged. It is also possible that future changes to tax laws (including tax treaties) could impact our ability to realize the tax savings recorded to date.

A downgrade in our credit rating could negatively impact our cost of and ability to access capital.

        Our ability to access capital markets or to otherwise obtain sufficient financing is enhanced by our senior unsecured debt ratings as provided by major U.S. credit rating agencies. Factors that may impact our credit ratings include debt levels, liquidity, asset quality, cost structure, commodity pricing levels and other considerations. A ratings downgrade could adversely impact our ability in the future to access debt markets, increase the cost of future debt, and potentially require us to post letters of credit for certain obligations.

Our ability to access capital markets could be limited.

        From time to time, we may need to access capital markets to obtain financing. Our ability to access capital markets for financing could be limited by, among other things, oil and gas prices, our existing capital structure, our credit ratings, the state of the economy, the health of the drilling and overall oil and gas industry, and the liquidity of the capital markets. Many of the factors that affect our ability to access capital markets are outside of our control. No assurance can be given that we will be able to access capital markets on terms acceptable to us when required to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to generate cash to service all of our indebtedness, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations.

        Our ability to make future, scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investment decisions and capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. Furthermore, these alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial position at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. Any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would be a default (if not waived) and would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness.

Regulation of greenhouse gases and climate change could have a negative impact on our business.

        Scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as "greenhouse gases" ("GHGs") and including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the earth's atmosphere and other climatic changes. In response to such studies, the issue of climate change and the effect of GHG emissions, in particular emissions from fossil fuels, is attracting increasing attention worldwide. We are aware of the increasing focus of local, state, national and international regulatory bodies on GHG emissions and climate change issues. The United States Congress may consider legislation to reduce GHG emissions. Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether proposed legislation or regulations will be adopted, any such future laws and

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regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions. If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, to the extent financial markets view climate change and GHG emissions as a financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of or access to capital. Climate change and GHG regulation could also reduce the demand for hydrocarbons and, ultimately, demand for our services.

Reliance on management and competition for experienced personnel may negatively impact our operations or financial results.

        We greatly depend on the efforts of our executive officers and other key employees to manage our operations. The loss of members of management could have a material effect on our business. Similarly, we utilize highly skilled personnel in operating and supporting our businesses. In times of high utilization, it can be difficult to retain, and in some cases find, qualified individuals. Although to date our operations have not been materially affected by competition for personnel, an inability to obtain or find a sufficient number of qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Shortages of drilling equipment and supplies could adversely affect our operations.

        The contract drilling business is highly cyclical. During periods of increased demand for contract drilling services, delays in delivery and shortages of drilling equipment and supplies can occur. These risks are intensified during periods when the industry experiences significant new drilling rig construction or refurbishment. Any such delays or shortages could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to cybersecurity risks.

        Threats to information technology systems associated with cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents or attacks continue to grow. Cybersecurity attacks could include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to our data and the unauthorized release, corruption or loss of our data and personal information, loss of our intellectual property, theft of our FlexRig and other technology, loss or damage to our data delivery systems, other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in our critical systems, and increased costs to prevent, respond to or mitigate cybersecurity events. It is possible that our business, financial and other systems could be compromised, which might not be noticed for some period of time. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to mitigate our exposure to such risk, cybersecurity attacks are evolving and unpredictable. The occurrence of such an attack could lead to financial losses and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are not aware that any material cybersecurity breaches have occurred to date.

Unionization efforts and labor regulations in certain countries in which we operate could materially increase our costs or limit our flexibility.

        Efforts may be made from time to time to unionize portions of our workforce. In addition, we may in the future be subject to strikes or work stoppages and other labor disruptions. Additional unionization efforts, new collective bargaining agreements or work stoppages could materially increase our costs, reduce our revenues or limit our flexibility.

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Any future implementation of price controls on oil and natural gas would affect our operations.

        The United States Congress may in the future impose some form of price controls on either oil, natural gas, or both. Any future limits on the price of oil or natural gas could negatively affect the demand for our services and, consequently, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Covenants in our debt agreements restrict our ability to engage in certain activities.

        Our debt agreements pertaining to certain long-term unsecured debt and our unsecured revolving credit facility contain various covenants that may in certain instances restrict our ability to, among other things, incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness, incur liens, sell or otherwise dispose of assets, enter into new lines of business, and merge or consolidate. In addition, our credit facility requires us to maintain a funded leverage ratio (as defined) of less than 50 percent and certain priority debt (as defined) may not exceed 17.5% of our net worth (as defined). Such restrictions may limit our ability to successfully execute our business plans, which may have adverse consequences on our operations.

Improvements in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

        Since our business depends on the level of activity in the oil and natural gas industry, any improvement in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies that increase the use of alternative forms of energy and reduce the demand for oil and natural gas could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        We have received no written comments regarding our periodic or current reports from the staff of the SEC that were issued 180 days or more preceding the end of our 2016 fiscal year and that remain unresolved.

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Item 2.    PROPERTIES

CONTRACT DRILLING

        The following table sets forth certain information concerning our U.S. land and offshore drilling rigs as of September 30, 2016:

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