XML 30 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

We classified our former Venezuelan operation as a discontinued operation in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, as more fully described in Note 3—Discontinued Operations. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relates only to our continuing operations.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company gains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the fiscal year are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

COVID-19 and OPEC+ Production Impacts

The outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its development into a pandemic has resulted in significant global economic disruption, including North America and many of the other geographic areas where we operate, or where our customers are located, or suppliers or vendors operate. Actions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by governmental authorities around the world, including imposing mandatory closures of all non-essential business facilities, seeking voluntary closures of such facilities and imposing restrictions on, or advisories with respect to, travel, business operations and public gatherings or interactions, have significantly reduced global economic activity, thereby resulting in lower demand for crude oil. In addition to the impact on demand for crude oil, the travel restrictions in certain countries where we operate, including the closure of their borders to travel into the country, have resulted in an inability to effectively staff or rotate personnel at, and thereby operate, certain of our rigs and could lead to an inability to fulfill our contractual obligations under contracts with customers. Governmental authorities have also implemented multi-step policies with the goal of reopening various sectors of the economy. However, certain jurisdictions began reopening only to return to restrictions in the face of increases in new COVID-19 cases, while other jurisdictions are continuing to reopen or have completed the reopening process despite increases in COVID-19 cases. Despite the increased availability of vaccines in certain jurisdictions, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue unabated or worsen during the upcoming months, including as a result of the emergence of more infectious strains of the virus, vaccine hesitancy or increased business and social activities, which may cause governmental authorities to reconsider restrictions on business and social activities. In the event governmental authorities increase restrictions, the reopening of the economy may be curtailed. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, some disruptions to our business operations, as these restrictions have significantly impacted, and may continue to impact, many sectors of the economy. Depressed economic conditions exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions in one foreign jurisdiction where we operate have led to an increase in community strikes which have resulted in periodic suspensions of our operations. In addition, the perceived risk of infection and health risk associated with COVID-19, and the illness of many individuals across the globe, has and will continue to alter behaviors of consumers and policies of companies around the world; such altered behaviors and policies have many of the same effects intended by governmental authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as self-imposed or voluntary social distancing, quarantining, and remote work policies. We are complying with local governmental jurisdiction policies and procedures where our operations reside. In some cases, policies and procedures are more stringent in our foreign operations than in our North America operations.

In early March 2020, the increase in crude oil supply resulting from production escalations from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing nations (“OPEC+”) combined with a decrease in crude oil demand stemming from the global response and uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Consequently, we saw a significant decrease in customer 2020 capital budgets and a corresponding dramatic decline in the demand for land rigs. Although OPEC+ agreed in April 2020 to cut oil production, OPEC+ has been gradually reducing such cuts and in July 2021, agreed to further reduce such cuts on a monthly basis with a goal of phasing out all production cuts towards the end of 2022. There is no assurance that the most recent OPEC+ agreement will be observed by its parties and OPEC+ may change its agreement depending upon market conditions. Although crude oil prices have recovered since March 2020, oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of near-term production instability, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, changes in oil and natural gas inventories, industry demand, global and national economic performance, and the actions of OPEC+.

These events have had, and could continue to have, an adverse impact on numerous aspects of our business, financial condition and results of operations. The ultimate extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend largely on future developments, including the duration and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and the parts of the world in which we operate and the related impact on the oil and gas industry, the impact of governmental actions designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the development, availability, timely distribution and acceptance of effective treatments and vaccines worldwide, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.

At September 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.1 billion. The 2018 Credit Facility (as defined within Note 7—Debt) has $750.0 million in aggregate availability with a maximum of $75.0 million available for use as letters of credit. As of September 30, 2021, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding, leaving $750.0 million available to borrow under the 2018 Credit Facility. On April 16, 2021, lenders with $680.0 million of commitments under the 2018 Credit Facility exercised their option to extend the maturity of the 2018 Credit Facility from November 13, 2024 to November 12, 2025.

On September 27, 2021, the Company delivered a conditional notice of optional full redemption for all of the outstanding 4.65% unsecured senior notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") at a redemption price calculated in accordance with the indenture governing the 2025 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 2025 Notes to be redeemed. On September 29, 2021, we issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2.90% unsecured senior notes due 2031 (the "2031 Notes"). The Company’s obligation to redeem the 2025 Notes was conditioned upon the prior consummation of the issuance of the 2031 Notes, which was satisfied on September 29, 2021. The 2031 Notes mature on September 29, 2031. On October 27, 2021, we redeemed all of the outstanding 2025 Notes. As a result, these notes were included in the current portion of long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021. The associated make-whole premium and accrued interest of $58.1 million and the write off of the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $3.7 million will be recognized during the first fiscal quarter of 2022 contemporaneously with the October 27, 2021 redemption. Refer to Note 7—Debt for further details.

Foreign Currencies

Our functional currency, together with all our foreign subsidiaries, is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and the resulting gains and losses are recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Aggregate foreign currency losses of $5.3 million, $8.8 million and $8.2 million in fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are included in drilling services operating expenses.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are subject to potential credit risk, and certain of our cash accounts carry balances greater than the federally insured limits.

We had restricted cash and cash equivalents of $19.2 million and $48.9 million at September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Of the total at September 30, 2021 and 2020, $1.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, is related to the acquisition of drilling technology companies, $2.0 million as of both fiscal year ends is from the initial capitalization of the captive insurance companies, and $17.7 million and $43.1 million, respectively, represents an additional amount management has elected to restrict for the purpose of potential insurance claims in our wholly-owned captive insurance companies. The restricted amounts are primarily invested in short-term money market securities.

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:


	September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Cash	$	917,534	$	487,884	$	347,943
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other	18,350		45,577		31,291
Other assets	832		3,286		3,737
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	936,716	$	536,747	$	382,971

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable represents valid claims against our customers for our services rendered, net of allowances for credit losses. We perform credit evaluations of customers and do not typically require collateral in support for trade receivables. We provide an allowance for credit losses, when necessary, to cover estimated credit losses. Outstanding customer receivables are reviewed regularly for possible nonpayment indicators, and allowances for credit losses are recorded based upon management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Refer to "Allowance for Credit Losses" below and Note 15—Supplemental Balance Sheet Information for additional information.

Inventories of Materials and Supplies

Inventories are primarily replacement parts and supplies held for consumption in our drilling operations. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on a weighted average basis and includes the cost of materials, shipping, duties and labor. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The reserves for excess and obsolete inventory were $29.3 million and $36.5 million for fiscal years 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Investments

We maintain investments in equity and debt securities of certain publicly traded and private companies. We recognize our equity securities that have readily determinable fair values at fair value, with changes in such values reflected in net income. Our equity securities without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost, less any impairments.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Substantially all property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets after deducting their salvage values. The amount of depreciation expense we record is dependent upon certain assumptions, including an asset’s estimated useful life, rate of consumption, and corresponding salvage value. We periodically review these assumptions and may change one or more of these assumptions. Changes in our assumptions may require us to recognize, on a prospective basis, increased or decreased depreciation expense.

We capitalize interest on major projects during construction. Interest is capitalized based on the average interest rate on related debt. We had no capitalized interest during fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019.

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Changes that could prompt such an assessment include a significant decline in revenue or cash margin per day, extended periods of low rig asset group utilization, changes in market demand for a specific asset, obsolescence, completion of specific contracts, restructuring of our drilling fleet, and/or overall general market conditions. If the review of the long-lived assets indicates that the carrying value of these assets/asset groups is more than the estimated undiscounted future cash flows projected to be realized from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal an impairment charge is made, as required, to adjust the carrying value down to the estimated fair value of the asset. The estimated fair value is determined based upon either an income approach using estimated discounted future cash flows, a market approach considering factors such as recent market sales of rigs of other companies and our own sales of rigs, appraisals and other factors, a cost approach utilizing reproduction costs new as adjusted for the asset age and condition, and/or a combination of multiple approaches.

Cash flows are estimated by management considering factors such as prospective market demand, margins, recent changes in rig technology and its effect on each rig’s marketability, any investment required to make a rig operational, suitability of rig size and make up to existing platforms, and competitive dynamics including industry utilization. Long-lived assets that are held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or the fair value less costs to sell.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment at the reporting unit level at a minimum on an annual basis in the fourth fiscal quarter of each fiscal year or when it is more likely than not that the carrying value may exceed fair value. If an impairment is determined to exist, an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value is recognized, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The reporting unit level is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over the period in which these assets contribute to our cash flows, generally estimated to be 5 to 20 years, and are evaluated for impairment in accordance with our policies for valuation of long-lived assets.

Drilling Revenues

Drilling services revenues are comprised of daywork drilling contracts for which the related revenues and expenses are recognized as services are performed and collection is reasonably assured. For certain contracts, we receive payments contractually designated for the mobilization of rigs and other drilling equipment. Revenues associated with mobilization and lump-sum demobilization and direct costs incurred for the mobilization, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as the drilling service is provided. Costs incurred to relocate rigs and other drilling equipment to areas in which a contract has not been secured are expensed as incurred. Reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as both revenues and direct costs. Reimbursements for fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $148.0 million, $212.0 million and $322.8 million, respectively. For fixed-term contracts that are terminated by customers prior to the expirations, contractual provisions customarily require early termination amounts to be paid to us. Revenues from early terminated contracts are recognized when all contractual requirements have been met. Early termination revenue for fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $7.7 million, $73.4 million and $11.3 million, respectively.

Rent Revenues

We enter into leases with tenants in our rental properties consisting primarily of retail space. The lease terms of tenants occupying space in the retail centers and warehouse buildings generally range from three to ten years. Minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases. Overage and percentage rents are based on tenants’ sales volume. Recoveries from tenants for property taxes and operating expenses are recognized in other operating revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Our rent revenues are as follows:


	Year Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Minimum rents	$	5,589	$	9,245	$	10,168
Overage and percentage rents	726		656		932

At September 30, 2021, minimum future rental income to be received on noncancelable operating leases was as follows:


Fiscal Year	Amount (in thousands)
2022	$	5,429
2023	4,630
2024	3,903
2025	3,128
2026	2,236
Thereafter	4,064
Total	$	23,390

Leasehold improvement allowances are capitalized and amortized over the lease term.

At September 30, 2021 and 2020, the cost and accumulated depreciation for real estate properties were as follows:


	September 30,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
Real estate properties	$	43,302	$	43,389
Accumulated depreciation	(28,846)		(27,588)
	$	14,456	$	15,801

Income Taxes

Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current fiscal year. Deferred income taxes are computed using the liability method and are provided on all temporary differences between the financial basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities.

We take tax positions in our tax returns from time to time that may not ultimately be allowed by the relevant taxing authority. When we take such positions, we evaluate the likelihood of sustaining those positions and determine the amount of tax benefit arising from such positions, if any, that should be recognized in our financial statements. We recognize uncertain tax positions we believe have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained. Tax benefits not recognized by us are recorded as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which represents our potential future obligation to various taxing authorities if the tax positions are not sustained. See Note 8—Income Taxes. Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in periods when new information becomes available or when positions are effectively settled. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is computed utilizing the two-class method and is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods utilizing the two-class method for stock options, nonvested restricted stock and performance share units. We have granted and expect to continue to grant to employees restricted stock grants that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. Such grants are considered participating securities under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 260, Earnings Per Share. As such, we have included these grants in the calculation of our basic earnings per share.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is determined using a fair-value-based measurement method for all awards granted. Beginning in fiscal year 2019, we replaced stock options with performance share units as a component of our executives’ long-term equity incentive compensation. We have also eliminated stock options as an element of our non-employee director compensation program. The Board of Directors (the "Board") has determined to award stock-based compensation to non-employee directors solely in the form of restricted stock.

The grant date fair value of performance share units is determined through the use of the Monte Carlo simulation method. The Monte Carlo simulation method requires the use of highly subjective assumptions. Our key assumptions in the method include the price and the expected volatility of our stock and our self-determined peer group of companies’ (the "Peer Group") stock, risk free rate of return, dividend yields and cross-correlations between the Company and our Peer Group.

Stock-based compensation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the stock awards, which is generally the vesting period. Compensation expense is recorded as a component of drilling services operating expenses, research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11—Stock-based Compensation for additional discussion on stock-based compensation.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. Gains and losses on the subsequent reissuance of shares are credited or charged to additional paid-in capital using the average-cost method. Treasury stock may be issued under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Comprehensive Income or Loss

Other comprehensive income or loss refers to revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that are included in comprehensive income or loss but excluded from net income or loss. We report the components of other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, by their nature and disclose the tax effect allocated to each component in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Leases

We lease various offices, warehouses, equipment and vehicles. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of one to 15 years but may have extension options. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

Up until the end of fiscal year 2019, leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as either capital or operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease (“levelized lease cost”).

Beginning October 1, 2019, leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability within accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Company. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis for finance type leases.

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:

•Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable

•Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate

•Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees

•The exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and

•Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be determined, our incremental borrowing rate is used, which is the rate that we would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost and are comprised of the following:

•The amount of the initial measurement of lease liability

•Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received

•Any initial direct costs, and

•Asset retirement obligations related to that lease, as applicable.

Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets are comprised of IT-equipment and office furniture.

In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). The assessment is reviewed if a significant event or a significant change in circumstances occurs and is within our control. Refer to Note 5—Leases for additional information regarding our leases.

Recently Issued Accounting Updates

Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the FASB ASC. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, clarifications of ASUs listed below, immaterial, or already adopted by the Company.

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements and our analysis of the effects on our financial statements:


Standard	Description	Date of Adoption	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) and related ASUs issued subsequent	This ASU introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new model will apply to: (1) loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables, and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, (2) loan commitments and certain other off-balance sheet credit exposures, (3) debt securities and other financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (loss), and (4) beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.	October 1, 2020	We adopted this ASU during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, as required. Refer to "Allowance for Credit Losses" below for additional information.
ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans—General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove, and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit, pension and other postretirement plans. This update is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020.	September 30, 2021	We adopted this ASU during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. The adoption did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Standards that are not yet adopted as of September 30, 2021
ASU No. 2019-12, Financial Instruments – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes	This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions related to Topic 740. The ASU also improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendment is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for public entities for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. An entity that elects to early adopt the amendments in an interim period should reflect any adjustments as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period. Additionally, an entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Upon adoption, the amendments addressed in this ASU will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.	October 1, 2021	We plan to adopt this ASU, as required, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Although we are currently evaluating the impact the new guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures, we do not believe the adoption will have a material effect thereon.

Allowance for Credit Losses

On October 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment without restating comparative periods, as permitted under the adoption provisions. Upon adoption, we recognized a $1.6 million increase to our allowance for credit losses and a corresponding cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings, net of income taxes, of $1.3 million. This transition adjustment reflects the development of our models to estimate expected credit losses over the life of our financial assets, which primarily consist of our accounts receivable. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13, we have evaluated our customers’ financial strength and liquidity based on aging of accounts receivable, payment history, and other relevant information, including ratings agency, credit ratings and alerts, and publicly available reports.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of temporary cash investments, short-term investments and trade receivables. The industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to market and credit risks, either positively or negatively, in that our customers could be affected by similar changes in economic, industry or other conditions. However, we believe that the credit risk posed by this industry concentration is offset by the creditworthiness of our customer base. In fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019, no individual customers constituted 10 percent or more of our total consolidated revenues.

We place temporary cash investments in the United States with established financial institutions and invest in a diversified portfolio of highly rated, short-term money market instruments. Our trade receivables, primarily with established companies in the oil and gas industry, may impact credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions. International sales also present various risks including governmental activities that may limit or disrupt markets and restrict the movement of funds. Most of our international sales, however, are to large international or government-owned national oil companies.

Volatility of Market

Our operations can be materially affected by oil and gas prices. Oil and natural gas prices have been historically volatile and difficult to predict with any degree of certainty. While current energy prices are important contributors to positive cash flow for customers, expectations about future prices and price volatility are generally more important for determining a customer’s future spending levels. This volatility, along with the difficulty in predicting future prices, can lead many exploration and production companies to base their capital spending on more conservative estimates of commodity prices. As a result, demand for drilling services is not always purely a function of the movement of commodity prices.

In addition, customers may finance their exploration activities through cash flow from operations, the incurrence of debt or the issuance of equity. Any deterioration in the credit and capital markets may cause difficulty for customers to obtain funding for their capital needs. A reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in commodity prices or a reduction of available financing may result in a reduction in customer spending and the demand for our services. This reduction in spending could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Self-Insurance

We have accrued a liability for estimated workers’ compensation and other casualty claims incurred based upon case reserves plus an estimate of loss development and incurred but not reported claims. The estimate is based upon historical trends. Insurance recoveries related to such liability are recorded when considered probable.

We self-insure a significant portion of expected losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability. Generally, deductibles range from $1 million to $10 million per occurrence depending on the coverage and whether a claim occurs outside or inside of the United States. Insurance is purchased over deductibles to reduce our exposure to catastrophic events. Estimates are recorded for incurred outstanding liabilities for workers’ compensation, general, and automobile liability claims that are incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on adjusters’ estimates, historical experience and statistical methods commonly used within the insurance industry that we believe are reliable. We have also engaged a third-party actuary to perform a review of our casualty losses as well as losses in our captive insurance companies. Nonetheless, insurance estimates include certain assumptions and management judgments regarding the frequency and severity of claims, claim development and settlement practices. Unanticipated changes in these factors may produce materially different amounts of expense that would be reported under these programs.

On October 1, 2019, we elected to capitalize a new Captive insurance company to insure the deductibles for our domestic workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability claims programs, and to continue the practice of insuring deductibles from the Company's international casualty and rig property programs. Casualty claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019 will remain recorded within each of the operating segments and future adjustments to these claims will continue to be reflected within the operating segments. Reserves for legacy claims occurring prior to October 1, 2019, will remain as liabilities in our operating segments until they have been resolved. Changes in those reserves will be reflected in segment earnings as they occur. We will continue to utilize the Captives to finance the risk of loss to equipment and rig property assets. The Company and the Captives maintain excess property and casualty reinsurance programs with third-party insurers in an effort to limit the financial impact of significant events covered under these programs. Our operating subsidiaries are paying premiums to the Captives, typically on a monthly basis, for the estimated losses based on an external actuarial analysis. These premiums are currently held in a restricted cash account, resulting in a transfer of risk from our operating subsidiaries to the Captives. Direct operating costs consisted primarily of adjustments to accruals for estimated losses of $12.6 million and $16.4 million allocated to the Captives and rig and casualty insurance premiums of $21.9 million and $6.7 million during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These operating costs were recorded within drilling services operating expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Intercompany premium revenues recorded by the Captives during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 amounted to $35.4 million and $36.9 million, respectively, which were eliminated upon consolidation. These intercompany insurance premiums are reflected as segment operating expenses within the North America Solutions, Offshore Gulf of Mexico, and International Solutions reportable operating segments and are reflected as intersegment sales within "Other." The Company self-insures employee health plan exposures in excess of employee deductibles. Starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Captives insurer issued a stop-loss program that will reimburse the Company's health plan for claims that exceed $50,000. This program will also be reviewed at the end of each policy year by an outside actuary. Our medical stop loss operating expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $12.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively.

International Solutions Drilling Risks

International Solutions drilling operations may significantly contribute to our revenues and net operating income (loss). There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully conduct such operations, and a failure to do so may have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of our International Solutions operations will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, modified exchange controls, changes in international regulatory requirements and international employment issues, risk of expropriation of real and personal property and the burden of complying with foreign laws. Additionally, in the event that extended labor strikes occur or a country experiences significant political, economic or social instability, we could experience shortages in labor and/or material and supplies necessary to operate some of our drilling rigs, thereby potentially causing an adverse material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have also experienced certain risks related to our Argentine operations. In Argentina, while our dayrate is denominated in U.S. dollars, 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. Argentina also has a history of implementing currency controls which restrict the conversion and repatriation of U.S. dollars. From September 2019 through 2021, Argentina implemented additional currency controls in an effort to preserve Argentina's U.S. dollar reserves. As a result of these currency controls, our ability to remit funds from our Argentine subsidiary to its U.S. parent has been limited. In the past, the Argentine government has also instituted price controls on crude oil, diesel and gasoline prices and instituted an exchange rate freeze in connection with those prices. These price controls and an exchange rate freeze could be instituted again in the future. In addition, in March 2020, the Argentine government introduced labor regulations that prohibit employee dismissals or suspensions without just cause, for lack of (or reduction in) work or due to force majeure, subject to certain exceptions that may result in the payment of compensation to suspended employees and/or increased severance costs to the company. These prohibitions have resulted in significant challenges for our Argentine operations and it remains uncertain for how long they will be in effect. Further, there are additional concerns regarding Argentina's debt burden, notwithstanding Argentina's restructuring deal with international bondholders in August 2020, as Argentina attempts to manage its substantial sovereign debt issues. These concerns could further negatively impact Argentina's economy and adversely affect our Argentine operations. Argentina’s economy is considered highly inflationary, which is defined as cumulative inflation rates exceeding 100 percent in the most recent three-year period based on inflation data published by the respective governments. Nonetheless, all of our foreign subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as the functional currency and local currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars with gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions included in current results of operations.

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 acceptable to us.

Although we attempt to minimize the potential impact of such risks by operating in more than one geographical area, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, approximately 5.0 percent of our operating revenues were generated from international locations in our drilling services business compared to 8.3 percent during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, approximately 48.9 percent of operating revenues from international locations were from operations in South America compared to 61.6 percent during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. Substantially all of the South American operating revenues were from Argentina and Colombia. 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 operations.