<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>HtmlAndXml</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>123</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>206</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>31</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R1.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R2.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R3.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R4.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R5.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R6.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R7.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R8.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R9.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndNatureOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R10.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R11.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R12.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingentLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingent Liabilities</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R13.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R14.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R15.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecurities</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R16.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R17.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R18.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R19.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R20.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecuritiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R21.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndNatureOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Nature of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R22.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R23.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R24.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R25.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405401 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R26.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R27.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R28.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R29.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProfessionalFees had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2403402 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2406403 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures (Details 2)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>rdc-20130630.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20130630.xsd</File>
    <File>rdc-20130630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20130630_def.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20130630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20130630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
