<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-11-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001022705</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TESCO CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TESO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001112506</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KOTT GARY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11330 CLAY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 350</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77041</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-11-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5300.0000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.0000</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2017-11-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-11-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5300.0000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5300.0000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) may be redeemed, at the Company's discretion, for one share of the Company's common stock or its cash equivalent.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">All awards were granted (i) on November 1, 2016 to the Reporting Person as a portion of his compensation for serving as an officer or director of the Company; and (ii) pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Tesco Corporation 2005 Incentive Plan, which is exempt under Rule 16b-3(d). The vesting of all awards is contingent upon the Reporting Person's continued employment by or service as a Director to the Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This number represents the restricted stock units (RSUs) granted.  These RSUs are subject to a three-year vesting period.  RSUs are calculated on a one-for-one share basis.  Each RSU may be redeemed, at the Company's discretion, for one share of the Company's common stock or its cash equivalent.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The RSUs vest equally over three years on the anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Brian Kelly, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-11-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
