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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Oct. 01, 2019
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Foreign currency losses | $ 8,200 | $ 4,000 | $ 7,100 |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 35,000 | 41,800 |  |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents from initial capitalization of captive insurance company | 2,000 | 2,000 |  |
Additional cash and cash equivalents restricted at the election of management for potential insurance claims | 30,000 | 28,500 |  |
Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory | 11,500 | 9,900 |  |
Capitalized interest | 0 | 400 | 300 |
Contract drilling services | $ 2,785,557 | $ 2,474,458 | 1,792,476 |
Cumulative inflation rate before a country is considered highly inflationary | 100.00% |  |  |
Operating Revenues | Geographic Concentration Risk | International Locations |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Concentration percentage | 7.60% | 9.60% |  |
Segment Revenue | International Land | Geographic Concentration Risk | International Locations | South America |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Concentration percentage | 91.60% | 96.00% |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Estimated life of finite-lived intangible assets used for amortization | 5 years |  |  |
Lease term | 3 years |  |  |
Deductible per occurrence | $ 1,000 |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Estimated life of finite-lived intangible assets used for amortization | 20 years |  |  |
Lease term | 10 years |  |  |
Deductible per occurrence | $ 5,000 |  |  |
Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contract drilling services | 322,800 | $ 274,700 | 179,900 |
Contract Drilling - Early Termination |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contract drilling services | 11,300 | 17,100 | $ 29,400 |
Acquisition of Drilling Technologies Companies |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ 3,000 | $ 11,300 |  |
ASU 2016-02 | Subsequent Event | Forecast |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Lease assets |  |  |  | $ 100,000
Lease liabilities |  |  |  | $ 100,000

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