UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



SCHEDULE 13G


Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     2     )*


Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

703481101
(CUSIP Number)



Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ].
 (A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous
statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five
percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has
filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of
five percent or less of such class.)  (See Rule 13d-7).

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of
the Act (however, see the Notes).













PAGE 1 OF 4 PAGES


CUSIP No.  703481101

1)  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

               First Pacific Advisors, Inc.
               04-3118452

2)  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                        (A)  [ ]
               N/A                                      (B)  [ ]

3)  SEC USE ONLY



4)  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

               Massachusetts

                   (5)  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                                                 -0-
  NUMBER OF
   SHARES          (6)  SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY                                                  2,603,100
OWNED BY EACH
  REPORTING        (7)  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 PERSON WITH                                                     -0-

                   (8)  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                              7,346,700

9)  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

               7,346,700

10) CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

               N/A

11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

               4.3

12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

               IA





*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!



PAGE 2 OF 4 PAGES


ITEM 1(a)    NAME OF ISSUER.

               Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

ITEM 1(b)    ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:

               4510 La Mesa Highway, P.O. Box 1416, Snyder, TX  79550

ITEM 2(a)    NAME OF PERSON FILING.

               First Pacific Advisors, Inc.

ITEM 2(b)    ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE, OR, IF NONE,
             RESIDENCE.

               11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA
               90064

ITEM 2(c)    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION.

               Massachusetts

ITEM 2(d)    TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES.

               Common Stock

ITEM 2(e)    CUSIP NUMBER.

               703481101

ITEM 3       REPORTING PERSON.

               See Item 12 on cover page

ITEM 4       OWNERSHIP.

               See Items 5 - 11 on cover page

ITEM 5       OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.

               First Pacific Advisors, Inc. had beneficial ownership of
               less than 5% of common stock of Patterson-UTI Energy,
               Inc. as of December 31, 2005.

ITEM 6       OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER
             PERSON.

               N/A

ITEM 7       IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
             ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT
             HOLDING COMPANY.

               N/A



PAGE 3 OF 4 PAGES


ITEM 8       IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.

               N/A

ITEM 9       NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.

               N/A

ITEM 10      CERTIFICATION.



     By signing below I certify that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were
acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not
acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of
changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a
participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect.

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge
and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.


	February 9, 2006

Date


	/s/ J. Richard Atwood

Signature



	J. Richard Atwood, Principal & Chief Operating Officer

Name/Title
















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