8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  20549

____________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED:  August 17, 2010

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Texas

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

IRS Employer Identification No. 74-1611874

15835 Park Ten Place Drive

Houston, Texas, 77084

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(281) 749-7800

(Registrant’s Telephone Number,

Including Area Code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

____________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02                      DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

On August 18, 2010, Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Mr. Ronald L. (Ronnie) Hall, Vice President, Operations plans to retire from the Company effective December 15, 2010.  Mr. Hall advised the Company of his decision on August 17, 2010.  There were no changes to the terms of employment of Mr. Hall in connection with his impending retirement.  The Company has engaged an executive search firm to assist with evaluation and recruitment of a suitable successor candidate.

Statements contained in this report with respect to the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including the Company’s dependence on the oil and gas industry; the risks involved in the construction of a rig and commencement of operations of the rig following delivery; competition; operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks associated with possible disruption in operations due to terrorism, acts of piracy, embargoes, war or other military operations; and governmental and industry regulations and environmental matters.   A list of additional risk factors can be found in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009, and the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, both filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 9.01                      EXHIBITS

(d)           Exhibits

Exhibit No.                                Description of Exhibit

99.1 Press release dated August 18, 2010.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.

(Registrant)

/s/ Mark L. Mey

Mark L. Mey

Senior Vice President

DATE: August 18, 2010

EX-99.1

Ex 99.1

Atwood Oceanics, Inc. Announces Planned Retirement of Executive Officer

Houston, Texas

August 18, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC., (NYSE: ATW) a Houston-based International Drilling Contractor (the “Company”), announced today that Mr. Ronald L. (Ronnie) Hall, Vice President, Operations plans to retire from the Company effective December 15, 2010.  Mr. Hall advised the Company of his decision on August 17, 2010.  There were no changes to the terms of employment of Mr. Hall in connection with his impending retirement.  The Company has engaged an executive search firm to assist with evaluation and recruitment of a suitable successor candidate.

Rob Saltiel, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “On behalf of Atwood’s management team, I thank Ronnie for his 15 years of dedicated service and his pivotal role in establishing standards of excellence in the safety and operations of the Atwood drilling fleet.  We wish Ronnie all the best in his retirement.”  Mr. Hall joined Atwood Oceanics in February 1995 and has served as Vice President – Operations since 2008.

Statements contained in this report with respect to the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect management’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including the Company’s dependence on the oil and gas industry; the risks involved in the construction of a rig and commencement of operations of the rig following delivery; competition; operating risks; risks involved in foreign operations; risks associated with possible disruption in operations due to terrorism, acts of piracy, embargoes, war or other military operations; and governmental and industry regulations and environmental matters.   A list of additional risk factors can be found in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009, and the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, both filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Mark. L. Mey

(281) 749-7902