Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ROWAN COMPANIES PLC
Entity Central Index Key	0000085408
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		124,212,268
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013