Guarantees of Registered Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 707,729	$ 1,008,879	$ 707,729	$ 1,008,879
Receivables - trade and other	510,194		510,194		344,546
Other current assets	82,772		82,772		67,675
Assets of discontinued operations	0		0		23,813
Total current assets	1,300,695		1,300,695		1,528,878
Property, plant and equipment - gross	9,540,591		9,540,591		8,197,715
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,032,020		2,032,020		1,811,960
Property, plant and equipment - net	7,508,571		7,508,571		6,385,755
Investments in subsidiaries	0		0		0
Due from affiliates	0		0		0
Other assets	19,514		19,514		61,128
TOTAL ASSETS	8,828,780		8,828,780		7,975,761
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade	100,453		100,453		123,976
Deferred revenues	31,803		31,803		54,515
Accrued liabilities	129,836		129,836		155,971
Liabilities of discontinued operations	0		0		20,122
Total current liabilities	262,092		262,092		354,584
Long-term debt	2,807,540		2,807,540		2,008,700
Due to affiliates	0		0		0
Other liabilities	238,232		238,232		289,061
Deferred income taxes - net	410,925		410,925		429,655
Shareholders' equity	5,109,991		5,109,991		4,893,761
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	8,828,780		8,828,780		7,975,761
Consolidating Income Statements
REVENUES	467,692	382,808	1,268,172	1,185,929
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	246,907	211,827	711,854	637,340
Depreciation and amortization	81,503	69,274	230,054	200,421
Selling, general and administrative	33,040	33,263	92,057	95,957
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	58	(65)	1,720	(18,979)
Litigation settlement	0	0	(20,875)	0
Material charges and other operating expenses	0	0	8,300	0
Total costs and expenses	361,508	314,299	1,023,110	914,739
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	106,184	68,509	245,062	271,190
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(25,656)	(17,111)	(74,308)	(53,377)
Interest income	372	417	1,721	1,144
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Other - net	269	(368)	(627)	(1,605)
Total other income (expense) - net	(25,015)	(17,062)	(73,214)	(53,838)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	81,169	51,447	171,848	217,352
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(38,428)	(453)	(36,165)	14,474
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	119,597	51,900	208,013	202,878
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	0	0	4,023
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET OF TAX	0	0	0	0
Net income	119,597	51,900	212,036	202,878
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	119,597	51,900	212,036	202,878
Pension and other postemployment benefit adjustments, net of income taxes
Amortization of net loss	3,190	4,500	9,470	13,359
Amortization of prior service credit	(737)	(799)	(2,189)	(2,373)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	2,453	3,701	7,281	10,986
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	122,050	55,601	219,317	213,864
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES			200,222	392,032
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant and equipment additions			(1,367,414)	(455,164)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment			9,767	42,295
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries			0	0
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,357,647)	(412,869)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances (to) from affiliates			0	0
Contributions from parent			0	0
Proceeds from borrowings			793,380	0
Debt issue costs			(687)	0
Dividends paid			(25,123)	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation			15	977
Proceeds from exercise of share options			4,725	2,911
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities			0	1,820
Net cash provided by financing activities			772,310	5,708
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(385,115)	(15,129)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			1,092,844	1,024,008
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	707,729	1,008,879	707,729	1,008,879
Rowan Companies plc (Parent) [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	90,014	63,485	90,014	63,485
Receivables - trade and other	129		129		58
Other current assets	636		636		289
Assets of discontinued operations					0
Total current assets	90,779		90,779		64,639
Property, plant and equipment - gross	0		0		0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0		0		0
Property, plant and equipment - net	0		0		0
Investments in subsidiaries	5,027,024		5,027,024		4,860,492
Due from affiliates	941		941		136
Other assets	0		0		0
TOTAL ASSETS	5,118,744		5,118,744		4,925,267
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade	409		409		1,359
Deferred revenues	0		0		0
Accrued liabilities	283		283		0
Liabilities of discontinued operations					0
Total current liabilities	692		692		1,359
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Due to affiliates	2,045		2,045		22,012
Other liabilities	6,016		6,016		8,135
Deferred income taxes - net	0		0		0
Shareholders' equity	5,109,991		5,109,991		4,893,761
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	5,118,744		5,118,744		4,925,267
Consolidating Income Statements
REVENUES	0	0	0	0
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	6,020	6,363	17,563	22,462
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Litigation settlement	0		0
Material charges and other operating expenses	0		0
Total costs and expenses	6,020	6,363	17,563	22,462
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	(6,020)	(6,363)	(17,563)	(22,462)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	0	0	0	0
Interest income	71	59	274	153
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Other - net	9,798	2,496	16,798	7,497
Total other income (expense) - net	9,869	2,555	17,072	7,650
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	3,849	(3,808)	(491)	(14,812)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	3,849	(3,808)	(491)	(14,812)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	0	0	0
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET OF TAX	115,748	55,708	212,527	217,690
Net income	119,597	51,900	212,036	202,878
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	119,597	51,900	212,036	202,878
Pension and other postemployment benefit adjustments, net of income taxes
Amortization of net loss	3,190	4,500	9,470	13,359
Amortization of prior service credit	(737)	(799)	(2,189)	(2,373)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	2,453	3,701	7,281	10,986
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	122,050	55,601	219,317	213,864
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES			66,891	(12,478)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant and equipment additions			0	0
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries			0	(100)
Net cash used in investing activities			0	(100)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances (to) from affiliates			(20,771)	12,704
Contributions from parent			0	0
Proceeds from borrowings			0
Debt issue costs			0
Dividends paid			(25,123)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation			0	0
Proceeds from exercise of share options			4,725	2,911
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities				1,820
Net cash provided by financing activities			(41,169)	17,435
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			25,722	4,857
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			64,292	58,628
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	90,014	63,485	90,014	63,485
RCI (Issuer) [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	62,574	277,829	62,574	277,829
Receivables - trade and other	62,502		62,502		7,877
Other current assets	70,605		70,605		43,613
Assets of discontinued operations					23,813
Total current assets	195,681		195,681		167,419
Property, plant and equipment - gross	674,959		674,959		593,606
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	305,457		305,457		243,666
Property, plant and equipment - net	369,502		369,502		349,940
Investments in subsidiaries	6,123,393		6,123,393		5,657,926
Due from affiliates	1,276,950		1,276,950		1,384,573
Other assets	18,877		18,877		60,343
TOTAL ASSETS	7,984,403		7,984,403		7,620,201
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade	9,607		9,607		13,409
Deferred revenues	0		0		0
Accrued liabilities	62,448		62,448		105,421
Liabilities of discontinued operations					20,122
Total current liabilities	72,055		72,055		138,952
Long-term debt	2,807,540		2,807,540		2,008,700
Due to affiliates	137,332		137,332		502,139
Other liabilities	188,855		188,855		239,287
Deferred income taxes - net	477,456		477,456		421,622
Shareholders' equity	4,301,165		4,301,165		4,309,501
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	7,984,403		7,984,403		7,620,201
Consolidating Income Statements
REVENUES	17,437	33,381	46,854	93,017
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	(2,247)	8,462	7,243	25,771
Depreciation and amortization	3,439	6,868	13,152	32,144
Selling, general and administrative	319	1,434	3,650	3,885
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	74	2	402	231
Litigation settlement	0		0
Material charges and other operating expenses	0		0
Total costs and expenses	1,585	16,766	24,447	62,031
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	15,852	16,615	22,407	30,986
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(25,657)	(17,111)	(74,309)	(53,377)
Interest income	746	122	1,746	358
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Other - net	(9,793)	(2,690)	(16,782)	(7,460)
Total other income (expense) - net	(34,704)	(19,679)	(89,345)	(60,479)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(18,852)	(3,064)	(66,938)	(29,493)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(27,095)	(3,826)	(48,367)	(9,112)
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	8,243	762	(18,571)	(20,381)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	0	0	4,023
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET OF TAX	34,944	15,898	52,525	100,268
Net income	43,187	16,660	37,977	79,887
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	43,187	16,660	37,977	79,887
Pension and other postemployment benefit adjustments, net of income taxes
Amortization of net loss	3,190	4,500	9,470	13,359
Amortization of prior service credit	(737)	(799)	(2,189)	(2,373)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	2,453	3,701	7,281	10,986
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	45,640	20,361	45,258	90,873
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES			294,344	12,237
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant and equipment additions			(15,995)	(39,413)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment			6,955	2,230
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries			(105,261)	(170,107)
Net cash used in investing activities			(114,301)	(207,290)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances (to) from affiliates			(927,293)	243,820
Contributions from parent			0	0
Proceeds from borrowings			793,380
Debt issue costs			(687)
Dividends paid			(75,000)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation			15	977
Proceeds from exercise of share options			0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities				0
Net cash provided by financing activities			(209,585)	244,797
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(29,542)	49,744
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			92,116	228,085
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	62,574	277,829	62,574	277,829
Other non-guarantor subsidiaries [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	555,141	667,565	555,141	667,565
Receivables - trade and other	447,563		447,563		336,611
Other current assets	11,531		11,531		23,773
Assets of discontinued operations					0
Total current assets	1,014,235		1,014,235		1,296,820
Property, plant and equipment - gross	8,865,632		8,865,632		7,604,109
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,726,563		1,726,563		1,568,294
Property, plant and equipment - net	7,139,069		7,139,069		6,035,815
Investments in subsidiaries	0		0		0
Due from affiliates	138,071		138,071		506,455
Other assets	637		637		785
TOTAL ASSETS	8,292,012		8,292,012		7,839,875
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade	90,437		90,437		109,208
Deferred revenues	31,803		31,803		54,515
Accrued liabilities	67,105		67,105		50,550
Liabilities of discontinued operations					0
Total current liabilities	189,345		189,345		214,273
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Due to affiliates	1,276,585		1,276,585		1,367,013
Other liabilities	43,361		43,361		41,639
Deferred income taxes - net	374,066		374,066		423,216
Shareholders' equity	6,408,655		6,408,655		5,793,734
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	8,292,012		8,292,012		7,839,875
Consolidating Income Statements
REVENUES	468,013	380,307	1,269,101	1,179,913
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	266,104	234,245	749,886	698,570
Depreciation and amortization	78,213	62,406	217,403	168,277
Selling, general and administrative	27,360	25,466	72,851	69,610
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	(16)	(67)	1,318	(19,210)
Litigation settlement	0		(20,875)
Material charges and other operating expenses	0		8,300
Total costs and expenses	371,661	322,050	1,028,883	917,247
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	96,352	58,257	240,218	262,666
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	(713)	(38)	(1,304)	(106)
Interest income	269	274	1,006	739
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Other - net	264	(174)	(643)	(1,642)
Total other income (expense) - net	(180)	62	(941)	(1,009)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	96,172	58,319	239,277	261,657
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	252	(1,652)	37,618	34,644
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	95,920	59,971	201,659	227,013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	0	0	0
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET OF TAX	0	0	0	0
Net income	95,920	59,971	201,659	227,013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	95,920	59,971	201,659	227,013
Pension and other postemployment benefit adjustments, net of income taxes
Amortization of net loss	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	0	0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	95,920	59,971	201,659	227,013
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES			432,075	392,273
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant and equipment additions			(1,351,419)	(415,751)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment			2,812	40,065
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries			0	0
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,348,607)	(375,686)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances (to) from affiliates			532,376	(256,524)
Contributions from parent			105,261	170,207
Proceeds from borrowings			0
Debt issue costs			0
Dividends paid			(102,400)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation			0	0
Proceeds from exercise of share options			0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities				0
Net cash provided by financing activities			535,237	(86,317)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(381,295)	(69,730)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			936,436	737,295
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	555,141	667,565	555,141	667,565
Consolidating adjustments [Member]
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables - trade and other	0		0		0
Other current assets	0		0		0
Assets of discontinued operations					0
Total current assets	0		0		0
Property, plant and equipment - gross	0		0		0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	0		0		0
Property, plant and equipment - net	0		0		0
Investments in subsidiaries	(11,150,417)		(11,150,417)		(10,518,418)
Due from affiliates	(1,415,962)		(1,415,962)		(1,891,164)
Other assets	0		0		0
TOTAL ASSETS	(12,566,379)		(12,566,379)		(12,409,582)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable - trade	0		0		0
Deferred revenues	0		0		0
Accrued liabilities	0		0		0
Liabilities of discontinued operations					0
Total current liabilities	0		0		0
Long-term debt	0		0		0
Due to affiliates	(1,415,962)		(1,415,962)		(1,891,164)
Other liabilities	0		0		0
Deferred income taxes - net	(440,597)		(440,597)		(415,183)
Shareholders' equity	(10,709,820)		(10,709,820)		(10,103,235)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	(12,566,379)		(12,566,379)		(12,409,582)
Consolidating Income Statements
REVENUES	(17,758)	(30,880)	(47,783)	(87,001)
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Direct operating costs (excluding items below)	(16,950)	(30,880)	(45,275)	(87,001)
Depreciation and amortization	(149)	0	(501)	0
Selling, general and administrative	(659)	0	(2,007)	0
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	0	0	0	0
Litigation settlement	0		0
Material charges and other operating expenses	0		0
Total costs and expenses	(17,758)	(30,880)	(47,783)	(87,001)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	0	0	0	0
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized	714	38	1,305	106
Interest income	(714)	(38)	(1,305)	(106)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0
Other - net	0	0	0	0
Total other income (expense) - net	0	0	0	0
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(11,585)	5,025	(25,416)	(11,058)
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	11,585	(5,025)	25,416	11,058
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX	0	0	0
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET OF TAX	(150,692)	(71,606)	(265,052)	(317,958)
Net income	(139,107)	(76,631)	(239,636)	(306,900)
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	(139,107)	(76,631)	(239,636)	(306,900)
Pension and other postemployment benefit adjustments, net of income taxes
Amortization of net loss	(3,190)	(4,500)	(9,470)	(13,359)
Amortization of prior service credit	737	799	2,189	2,373
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	(2,453)	(3,701)	(7,281)	(10,986)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	(141,560)	(80,332)	(246,917)	(317,886)
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES			(593,088)	0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant and equipment additions			0	0
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries			105,261	170,207
Net cash used in investing activities			105,261	170,207
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances (to) from affiliates			415,688	0
Contributions from parent			(105,261)	(170,207)
Proceeds from borrowings			0
Debt issue costs			0
Dividends paid			177,400
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation			0	0
Proceeds from exercise of share options			0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities				0
Net cash provided by financing activities			487,827	(170,207)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0