The following table sets forth the name and address of each stockholder of the Company who, to the knowledge of the Company, beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s common stock, the number of shares beneficially owned by each, and the percentage of outstanding stock so owned, as of January 9, 2004.

(1)	Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the named entity, with such entity possessing sole voting and dispositive power with respect to such shares.
(2)	Includes 3,215,700 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management & Research Company, 1,279,700 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity Management Trust Company and 570,600 shares beneficially owned by Fidelity International Limited. Edward C. Johnson 3d, FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity Management and Research Company and the Fidelity Funds each has sole power to dispose of 3,215,700 shares. Fidelity Management & Research Company has the power to vote 3,215,700 (6.408% of class) shares under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Board of Trustees. Edward C. Johnson

	3d and FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity Management Trust Company, each has sole dispositive power over 1,279,700 shares and the sole power to vote or to direct the voting of 1,265,700 shares and no power to vote 14,000 shares which are owned by institutional account(s). Fidelity International Limited has sole voting and dispositive power over 570,600 shares. This information is based upon FMR Corp.’s Schedule 13(G) dated September 10, 2003.
(3)	State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company has sole power to vote or to direct the vote of 4,128,600 (8.227% of class) shares and has shared dispositive power over 12,600 shares. This information is based upon State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company’s Schedule 13G Amendment dated January 31, 2003.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

      The following table sets forth the total number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each of the present Directors and nominees, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the other four most highly compensated executive officers (the CEO and other four most highly compensated executive officers collectively, the “named executive officers”), and all directors and executive officers as a group, and the percent of the outstanding common stock so owned by each as of January 9, 2004.

	(1)	Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the named person, and he or she has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
	(2)	Percentage calculation not included if beneficial ownership is less than one percent of class.
	(3)	Includes 140,000 shares owned by The Helmerich Foundation, an Oklahoma charitable trust, for which Mr. Helmerich is Trustee, and 20,000 shares owned by Ivy League, Inc., of which Mr. Helmerich is President and Director. Mr. Helmerich possesses sole voting and investment power over all indirectly owned shares.

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	(4)	Includes options to purchase 735,345 shares; 10,044 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan; 23,245 shares owned by Mr. Hans Helmerich’s wife, with respect to which he has disclaimed all beneficial ownership; 14,800 shares held by Mr. Helmerich as Trustee for various trusts for members of his immediate family, as to which he has sole voting and investment power; 2,000 shares held by Mr. Helmerich as a Co-trustee for a family trust for which he shares voting and investment power; and 50,000 shares held by The Helmerich Trust, an Oklahoma charitable trust, for which Mr. Helmerich is a Co-trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
	(5)	Includes options to purchase 494,610 shares; 4,557 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan; 1,300 shares held in a trust for a family member for which Mr. Dotson, as a Co-trustee, shares voting and investment power; 35,554 shares owned by Mr. Dotson’s wife, with respect to which he has disclaimed all beneficial ownership; and 11,125 shares owned by The Dotson Family Charitable Foundation, for which Mr. Dotson is Co-trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
	(6)	Includes options to purchase 195,402 shares; 908 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan; and 800 shares owned by a charitable foundation, for which Mr. Fears is Co-trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
	(7)	Includes options to purchase 122,482 shares and 1,196 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan.
	(8)	Includes options to purchase 56,218 shares and 3,218 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan.
	(9)	Includes 29,000 shares held by a corporation controlled by Mr. Rooney and options to purchase 5,079 shares.

(10)	Includes options to purchase 5,079 shares.
(11)	Includes options to purchase 5,079 shares and 2,000 shares held in a revocable trust known as the Glenn A. Cox Trust, UTA, with respect to which voting and investment power are shared with Mr. Cox’s wife.
(12)	Includes options to purchase 5,079 shares.
(13)	Includes options to purchase 5,079 shares.
(14)	Includes options to purchase 1,400 shares.
(15)	Includes options to purchase 1,630,852 shares and 19,923 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan.

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

      The Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”) is divided into three classes — First Class, Second Class, and Third Class — whose terms expire in different years. The terms of the Directors of the First Class expire this year, and their successors are to be elected at this Annual Meeting. The terms of the Directors of the Second Class and the Third Class do not expire until 2005 and 2006, respectively, and consequently their successors are not to be elected at this Annual Meeting. Upon the conclusion of this Annual Meeting, the First, Second and Third Classes of Directors will be comprised of three Directors each.

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      The Directors belonging to the Second Class and the Third Class, which are not coming up for election at this meeting, and Nominees for Directors of the First Class, are as follows:

Directors of the Second Class

Year

Expiration

First

of Present

Became

Name

Age

Term

Principal Occupation and Current Directorships

Director

John D. Zeglis

56

2005

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (wireless phone services company). Director of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. and Georgia-Pacific Corporation.

1989

William L. Armstrong

66

2005

Chairman of Cherry Creek Mortgage Company (mortgage banking); The El Paso Mortgage Company (mortgage banking); and Centennial State Mortgage Company (mortgage banking). Director of UNUMProvident Corporation. Trustee of Denver-based Oppenheimer Funds.

1992

L. F. Rooney, III

50

2005

Chairman, Manhattan Construction Company (construction and construction management services) and President of Rooney Brothers Company (holding company with interests in construction, electronics and building components). Director of BOK Financial Corp. and Cimarex Energy Co.

1996

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Directors of the Third Class

Year

Expiration

First

of Present

Became

Name

Age

Term

Principal Occupation and Current Directorships

Director

W. H. Helmerich, III

81

2006

Chairman of the Board of the Company.

1949

Glenn A. Cox

74

2006

Retired President and Chief Operating Officer of Phillips Petroleum Company (large integrated oil company). Director of Cimarex Energy Co.

1992

Edward B. Rust, Jr.

53

2006

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Director of State Farm VP Management Corp.; State Farm Mutual Fund Trust; The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and Caterpillar, Inc.

1997

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Nominees for Directors of the First Class

Year

Expiration

First

of Present

Became

Name

Age

Term

Principal Occupation and Current Directorships

Director

Hans Helmerich

45

2004

President of the Company and Chief Executive Officer; holds similar positions as Chairman or President and as Chief Executive Officer of subsidiary companies. Director of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. and Cimarex Energy Co.

1987

George S. Dotson

63

2004

Vice President of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co.; holds similar positions as President and Chief Operating Officer of Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. subsidiary companies. Director of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. and Varco International, Inc.

1990

Paula Marshall-Chapman

50

2004

Chief Executive Officer of The Bama Companies, Inc. (manufacturer and marketer of food products). Director of BOK Financial Corp.

2002

      Messrs. Hans Helmerich and George S. Dotson are Directors of Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (“Atwood”), and the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns common stock of Atwood. As a result, Atwood may be deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.

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      With regard to the election of Directors, stockholders may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold their votes as to all nominees, or withhold their votes as to specific nominees. Unless otherwise specified, the proxies on the enclosed form which are executed and returned will be voted for the nominees listed above as “Nominees for Directors of the First Class.” The proxies executed and returned on the enclosed form can be voted only for the named nominees. If any one of the nominees is not a candidate at the Annual Meeting, an event which management does not anticipate, the proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee. The election of Directors will require the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. In all matters other than election of directors, a majority of shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy is required for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes shall not be counted except for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting.

      The Company’s transfer agent will tabulate all votes which are received prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. The Company has appointed two employee inspectors to receive the transfer agent’s tabulation, to tabulate all other votes, and to certify the voting results.

      The principal occupation of each of the Directors and the Nominees for Directors of the First Class is as set forth in the tables above and has been the same occupation for the past five years except with respect to Mr. John D. Zeglis, who was President of AT&T Corporation from 1997 to 1999; and Mr. Edward B. Rust, Jr. who was President of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company prior to September, 1998. Mr. Hans Helmerich is a son of Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III.

Attendance

      There were four regularly scheduled meetings of the Board held during fiscal 2003. The Company requires each Director to make a diligent effort to attend all Board and Committee meetings as well as the annual meeting of the stockholders. Eight of the Company’s Directors attended the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. Except as stated below, no Director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees held during fiscal 2003. Mr. William L. Armstrong did not attend the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meeting held on March 5, 2003.

Committees

      Messrs. Cox (Chairman), Rust, and Rooney are members of the Audit Committee. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is included as Appendix “A” to this Proxy Statement. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its independent and objective oversight responsibilities of financial reporting and internal financial and accounting controls of the Company and to monitor the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent accountants. The Board has determined each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as that term is defined in Section 303.01(B)(2)(a) and (3) of the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. Also, the Board has determined that Mr. Glenn Cox is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 401 of Regulation S-K. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Audit Committee held six meetings.

      Ms. Marshall-Chapman and Messrs. Armstrong and Zeglis (Chairman) are members of the Human Resources Committee (which functions as the Company’s compensation committee). The Board has adopted a written charter for the Human Resources Committee. The primary functions of the Human Resources

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      Ms. Marshall-Chapman and Messrs. Armstrong, Cox, Rooney (Chairman), Rust, and Zeglis are members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The primary functions of the Committee are to identify and to recommend to the Board the selection of Director nominees for each annual meeting of stockholders or for any vacancies on the Board and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the adoption or amendment of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one meeting.

      Each of the charters of the Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is available on the Company’s website at www.hpinc.com. The non-management Directors, in fiscal 2003, met without management, in regularly scheduled executive sessions. Mr. Rooney has been presiding Director at each executive session.

Corporate Governance

      The By-laws of the Company provide that any stockholder who is entitled to vote for the election of Directors at a meeting called for such purpose may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors. A stockholder desiring to nominate a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors must send a timely written notice to the Corporate Secretary setting forth in reasonable detail the following (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election all information relating to such person that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (ii) as to the stockholder giving notice (a) the name and address of the stockholder making the nomination, (b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the nomination, and (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by the stockholder. The By-laws require the same notice with respect to stockholder proposals for other actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders.

      To be timely, such notice must be received by the Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company (i) in the case of an annual meeting (for which the Company gives at least 90 days prior notice to the stockholders), not less than 50 nor more than 75 days prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) in the case of a special meeting or any other annual meeting, notice must be received by the close of business on the 10th day after notice of such meeting is first given to the stockholders. Stockholders desiring to submit a recommendation for a director nominee for the Board of Directors must submit the recommendation to the Corporate Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company.

      Historically, the Board has generally identified nominees based upon suggestions by management or Board members and the Board has evaluated those nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not currently have (i) a policy regarding the handling of Director candidate recommenda-

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      The Board of Directors has implemented a procedure for stockholders of the Company to send communications to the Board. Any stockholder desiring to communicate with the Board, a specific Committee or individual Directors may do so by writing to the Corporate Secretary who has been instructed by the Board to promptly forward all such communications to the addressee indicated thereon. In addition, any issue or concern may be addressed in a confidential or anonymous manner by submitting the same to the Company through its Ethics Hotline. Additional detail regarding stockholder communication to the Company’s Board of Directors can be found in the “Contact the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Board of Directors” policy which is available on the Company’s website at www.hpinc.com.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

      The information contained in the following Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 2003, 2002, and 2001 is furnished with respect to the named executive officers.

(1)	The amounts specified in this column represent payments of estimated tax liability with respect to Company- provided health and retirement benefits. The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits was less than either $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported for each of the named executive officers.
(2)	The number of shares underlying options granted and reflected in the table for fiscal years 2002 and 2001 include the adjustment made after September 30, 2002, to reflect the change in value of the Company’s stock as a result of the spin-off of the Company’s former wholly-owned subsidiary, Cimarex Energy Co. The number of shares underlying such options were increased by a factor of 1.314 by reason of such adjustment.
(3)	With respect to each of the named executive officers, the amounts specified in this column represent the Company’s matching contributions to its 401(k) Plan and Non-qualified Supplemental Savings Plan on behalf of each such executive officer.

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Stock Option Grants

      The following table provides information with respect to stock options granted during fiscal year 2003.

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

(1)	These options were granted pursuant to the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and are nonqualified stock options which vest annually in 25% increments, beginning one year from the date of grant.
(2)	The exercise price is the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the grant date.
(3)	The hypothetical present values on grant date were calculated under a modified Black-Scholes model, which is a mathematical formula used to value options. This formula considers a number of factors in hypothesizing an option’s present value. Factors used to value the options include the stock’s expected annual volatility rate (49.23%), risk free rate of return (4.03%), dividend yield (1.15%), term (10 years), and discounts for forfeiture of unvested shares (21.21%) and reduced term on vested shares (19.15%).

      The ultimate values of these options will depend on the future market price of the Company’s stock, which cannot be forecast with reasonable accuracy. The Company does not believe that the Black-Scholes model, whether modified or not modified, or any other valuation model, is a reliable method of computing the present value of the Company’s employee stock options. The actual value, if any, the optionee will realize will depend on the excess of the market value of the Company’s stock over the exercise price on the date of exercise.

11

Option Exercises and Holdings

      The following chart sets forth information with respect to the named executive officers of the Company concerning the exercise of options during the last fiscal year and unexercised options held as of the end of the fiscal year.

AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

(1)	These totals contain out-of-the-money options of 208,260, 138,840, 69,420, 57,850 and 12,000 for Messrs. Helmerich, Dotson, Fears, Mackey and Helm, respectively.
(2)	Fair market value used for computations in this column was $26.14 per share, which was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2003.

12

Summary of All Existing Equity Compensation Plans

      The following chart sets forth information concerning the equity compensation plans of the Company as of September 30, 2003.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

(1)	Includes the 1990 Stock Option Plan, the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan of the Company.
(2)	The Company does not maintain any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by the stockholders.

Long-term Incentive Plans

      The Company has no long-term incentive plans.

Pension Plans

      During fiscal 2003, the Company revised its pension plan to close the pension plan to new participants effective October 1, 2003, and reduce benefit accruals for current participants through September 30, 2006, at which time benefit accruals will be discontinued and the plan frozen.

      The pension benefit under the Company’s pension plan for time periods prior to October 1, 2003, is calculated pursuant to the following formula:

Compensation × 1.5% = Annual Pension Benefit.

      The pension benefit for the period commencing October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006, is calculated as follows:

Compensation × 0.75% = Annual Pension Benefit.

      Pension benefits, which are accrued annually, are determined based on compensation received throughout a participant’s career. “Compensation” includes salary, bonus, vacation pay, sick pay, Section 401(k) elective

13

      Based upon these formulas, an assumed annual salary and bonus growth rate of 6% and an age 65 retirement date, the estimated annual benefits payable to each named executive officer at retirement are:

(1)

The annual retirement benefit has not been reduced for statutory compensation and benefit limits, as amounts over these limits would be payable pursuant to the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan for Salaried Employees of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. The benefits listed above are computed as a straight single life annuity and do not contemplate any reduction for Social Security or other offset amounts.

Report on Repricing of Options

      There were no adjustments or amendments to the exercise price of stock options previously awarded to any of the named executive officers during the last fiscal year.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

      During fiscal 2003, the members of the Company’s Human Resources Committee were Ms. Marshall-Chapman and Messrs. Armstrong and Zeglis. No executive officer or director of the Company has any relationship covered by the Compensation Committee Interlock and Insider Participation regulations.

Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-of-Control Arrangements

      Each of the named executive officers has entered into a Change of Control Agreement with the Company. If the Company terminates a named executive officer’s employment within 24 months after a change of control other than for cause, disability, death or the occurrence of a substantial downturn, or if any of the named executive officers terminates his employment for good reason within 24 months after a change of control (as such terms are defined in the Change of Control Agreement), any options or restricted stock granted to any of the named executive officers will vest in full and the Company will be required to pay or provide (i) a lump sum payment equal to two and one-half (2 1/2) times the base salary and annual bonus of Mr. Hans Helmerich and two (2) times the base salary and annual bonus of the other named executive officers, (ii) 24 months of benefit continuation, (iii) a prorated annual bonus, and (iv) up to $5,000 for out-placement counseling services; provided that the payments and benefits shall be provided only if a named executive officer executes and does not revoke a release of claims in the form attached to the Change of Control Agreement. The Change of Control Agreement is automatically renewed for successive two-year periods unless terminated by the Company.

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      The Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan, the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan and the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan contain a provision whereby all stock options and restricted stock will automatically become fully vested and immediately exercisable in the event of a “change of control” of the Company, as defined in such plans.

      If a named executive officer dies prior to age 65 while employed by the Company or after having retired under the Company’s pension plan, then pursuant to an agreement with each named executive officer the surviving spouse of such deceased executive will be paid $2,250 per month for 120 consecutive months, commencing upon the date of death. Alternatively, if the named executive officer remains in the employment of the Company until age 65 or has retired under the provisions of the Company’s pension plan, then commencing on his 65th birthday such executive officer shall be paid $225 per month for 120 consecutive months.

Human Resources Committee Report

      Decisions or recommendations with regard to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers are made by the Human Resources Committee of the Board (“Committee”). Each member of the Committee is a non-employee director. Decisions about awards under the Company’s equity-based compensation plans are made by the Committee and reported to the Board. All other decisions by the Committee relating to compensation of the Company’s executive officers are reviewed and approved by the other non-employee members of the Board. Generally, the Committee meets in December following the end of a particular fiscal year to consider prospective calendar-year salary adjustments and stock-based compensation, as well as to consider bonus compensation for executive officers for the prior fiscal year.

      The Company’s executive compensation policies are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Company’s performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified executives. The Committee relies in large part on compensation studies for the determination of competitive compensation. These studies include salary and bonus compensation data from several competitor companies including certain of those companies contained within the S&P 500 Oil & Gas Drilling Index. Also, when the Committee contemplates the awarding of stock options or restricted stock to its executives, it considers, among other things, the nature and amount of stock awards made by competitor companies to their executive officers. In order to implement these objectives, the Company has developed a straightforward compensation package consisting of salary, annual bonus, and periodic awards of stock options and/or restricted stock. Each element of the compensation package serves a particular purpose. Salary and bonus are primarily designed to reward current and past performance. Base salaries are set to recognize individual performance while attempting to generally approximate the median level of base salaries among the Company’s competitors. Annual bonuses to executive officers are awarded based upon performance criteria, competitive considerations, and the Committee’s subjective determination of individual performance. Awards of stock options and restricted stock are primarily designed to tie a portion of each executive’s compensation to long-term future performance of the Company. The Committee believes that stock ownership by management through stock-based compensation arrangements is beneficial in aligning management’s and stockholders’ interests. The value of these awards will increase or decrease based upon the future price of the Company’s stock.

15

      During fiscal 2003, the Committee, with the assistance of an independent compensation consulting firm, reviewed the Company’s executive compensation practices. There were no material changes made in the Company’s executive compensation practices as a result of such review.

      In determining executive compensation for fiscal 2003, the Committee considered the Company’s overall historical performance and its future objectives, together with fiscal 2003 corporate performance. The Committee believes that this policy provides a certain degree of stability in executive compensation considering the cyclical nature of the Company’s business. Within this framework, the Committee considered several disproportionately weighted performance objectives in making its compensation decisions for fiscal 2003. The performance objectives and their weighting were: net income as a percentage of invested capital (35%); earnings per share (35%); pre-tax cash flow from operations (15%); and pre-tax operating income (15%). The Committee determined that none of the performance objectives were met in fiscal 2003.

      Each of the executive officers was assigned a 2003 target bonus award expressed as a percentage of base salary. Whether an executive officer earns all, more, or a portion of his target bonus award depends upon satisfaction of the performance objectives and the Committee’s subjective determination of individual performance.

      During fiscal 2003, stock options were awarded to the executive officers and other key employees. In making these stock option awards, the Committee considered both individual performance and the amount of stock option awards made by competitors.

      Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain compensation to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million annually will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes. The current compensation levels of the Company’s executive officers are well below the $1 million threshold. The Committee intends to optimize the deductibility of compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers. However, if future compliance with Section 162(m) conflicts with the Company’s compensation policy or what is believed to be in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders, then future compensation arrangements may not be fully deductible under Section 162(m).

      Mr. Helmerich’s compensation is determined in the same manner as described for the other executive officers. The Committee in December 2002 granted Mr. Helmerich a 2.5% salary increase for calendar 2003. Consistent with the Company’s compensation policies, Mr. Helmerich’s salary was increased in order to approximate the median level of base salaries of competitor CEOs. As a result of the Committee’s December 2003 review of corporate performance, industry conditions and other corporate considerations, the Board did not grant Mr. Helmerich nor the other named executive officers a bonus.

      The Committee awarded Mr. Helmerich stock options to purchase 90,000 shares of stock. The Committee based this award on its subjective assessment of Mr. Helmerich’s performance as CEO and the amount of stock options awarded to competitor CEOs.

Submitted By The Human Resources Committee

William L. Armstrong	Paula Marshall-Chapman	John D. Zeglis

16

Audit Committee Report

      In conjunction with its activities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management of the Company. The members of the Audit Committee have also discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Accounting Standards No. 61. The Audit Committee has received from the Company’s independent accountant the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence. Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

Submitted By The Audit Committee

Glenn A. Cox	Edward B. Rust, Jr.	L. F. Rooney, III

17

Performance Graph

      The following performance graph reflects the yearly percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return on common stock as compared with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Oil & Gas Drilling Index. All cumulative returns assume reinvestment of dividends and are calculated on a fiscal year basis ending on September 30 of each year.

CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON COMMON STOCK

Director Compensation

      Each non-employee Director receives a $2,500 attendance fee for each regularly scheduled meeting that he or she attends, plus expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings. Each non-employee Director is eligible to receive stock option awards pursuant to the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan as an annual retainer fee in lieu of a cash retainer payment. For fiscal 2003, each non-employee Director was awarded stock options to purchase 1,400 shares of the Company’s stock. Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III receives no compensation from the Company for serving as its Chairman of the Board, nor do the employee Directors receive compensation for serving on the Board of Directors.

      Members of the Company’s Audit Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive a fee of $500 per meeting attended, plus expenses incurred in

18

Transactions with Management and Others

      Mr. L. F. Rooney, III is a Director of the Company and Chairman of Manhattan Construction Company (“Manhattan”). During fiscal 2003, the Company paid $769,269 to Manhattan for work performed within a Company-owned outdoor shopping mall. This work included demolition of a multi-story building and site improvements to the area formerly occupied by such building.

      Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III, Chairman of the Board, retired from the Company in December of 1989. Pursuant to a consulting agreement with the Company, he receives $154,800 per calendar year, plus reimbursement of reasonable business, travel, and other expenses in consideration of his agreement to provide advisory and consulting services (exclusive of services rendered by Mr. Helmerich as Chairman of the Board) to the Company. The consulting agreement is automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless terminated by the Company or Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III.

      Mr. Rik Helmerich is a son of Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III and the brother of Mr. Hans Helmerich. The Company owns an outdoor shopping mall and leases space, at competitive rates, to one restaurant which is partially owned by Mr. Rik Helmerich. The restaurant also leases warehouse space from the Company. The annual rental paid by such restaurant to the Company in fiscal 2003 totaled $79,995.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

      For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, all reports were filed on a timely basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In making this disclosure, the Company has relied solely upon the written representations of its Directors and executive officers, and copies of the reports they have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Independent Accountants

      The independent public accounting firm selected by the Company for the current year which audited the accounts of the Company for the fiscal year most recently completed is Ernst & Young LLP. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the stockholders’ meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions.

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Audit Fees

      The following table sets forth the aggregate fees and costs paid to Ernst & Young LLP during the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered to the Company:

(1)	For auditing the annual financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-Q reports and statutory audits required internationally for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2003 and 2002. For the year ended September 30, 2002, the Audit Fees include $192,000 for audit services and consultation in connection with the spin-off of the exploration and production division.
(2)	For the audits of the Company’s Employee Retirement Plan, 401(k) Savings Plan, Flexible Benefits Plan and Maintenance Costs of Common Area Facilities for a wholly-owned subsidiary.
(3)	For services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including expatriate tax services. The Tax Fees for the year ended September 30, 2002, includes $159,000 for consulting services related to state sales tax audits.

      The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent public accountant as well as the fee charged for such services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, is detailed as to the particular service or category of service and is subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority for such services to one or more of it’s members, whose decisions are then presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Beginning May 6, 2003, all of the audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent public accountant were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter. In its review of all non-audit service fees, the Audit Committee considers among other things, the possible effect of such services on the auditor’s independence.

Stockholder Proposals

      The Company’s annual meeting for 2005 will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2005. Any stockholder wishing to submit a proposal to the vote of the stockholders at such 2005 annual meeting must submit such proposal or proposals in writing to the Company at its executive office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Attention: Corporate Secretary, on or before September 25, 2004, in order for such proposal or proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and accompanying proxy. For any other proposal that a stockholder wishes to have considered at the Company’s 2005 annual meeting, the Corporate Secretary must receive written notice of such proposal during the period beginning December 17, 2004, and ending

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Proxy for Annual Meeting

HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.

This Proxy Is Solicited by and on Behalf of the Board of Directors.

    The undersigned hereby appoints as his/ her proxies, with powers of substitution and revocation, W. H. Helmerich, III, Hans Helmerich, and Steven R. Mackey, or each of them (the “Proxies”), to vote all shares of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., to be held at The Philbrook Museum Of Art, Patti Johnson Wilson Hall, 2727 South Rockford Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at 12:00 noon, Tulsa time, and all adjournments thereof.

1.	Nominees for Directors of the “First Class” for a three-year term are Hans Helmerich, George S. Dotson, and Paula Marshall-Chapman. DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR ITEM 1.

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    THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THE STOCKHOLDER AS SPECIFIED IN THE SQUARES AND ON THE LINE PROVIDED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF; HOWEVER, IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE IN THE SQUARES OR ON THE LINE PROVIDED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FULL SLATE OF DIRECTORS. IF ANY OTHER MATTER SHOULD PROPERLY BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES WILL VOTE ON SUCH MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR BEST JUDGMENT.

PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

	Dated: _______________________________________________________ , 2004.
	(Sign here exactly as name appears herein. When shares are held by joint tenants, both must sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, guardian, or trustee, please give your full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer and give title of officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.)
	(Signature if held jointly)