A subsidiary of Atwood Oceanics Inc. has been a awarded a contract for drilling services for the Atwood Beacon by Israeli oil and gas company Shemen Oil and Gas Resources Ltd. Contract commencement is expected in September of this year, with the day rate for work offshore Israel being USD151,000. Provisions in the current rig sharing contract will cover the cost of mobilization. The contract has a firm duration of 180 days and the contractual commitments are expected to extend through February 2013.