<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.5.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>215</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>226</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>66</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <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>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <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>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <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>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <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>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <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>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Derivatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosures</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecurities</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.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>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.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>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefits</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/Derivatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosures</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecurities</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/NatureOfOperationsAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404401 - 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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingentLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.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>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/DerivativesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Derivative Reflected in the Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/DerivativesDerivativeReflectedInBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Derivative Reflected in the Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Derivatives - Effect of Derivative on the Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/DerivativesEffectOfDerivativeOnConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives - Effect of Derivative on the Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Other Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsOtherFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Other Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Components of Receivables (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresComponentsOfReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Components of Receivables (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Long Term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Long Term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Long Term Debt, Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Long Term Debt, Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/OtherFinancialStatementDisclosuresNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Financial Statement Disclosures - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecuritiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="rdc-20160930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Guarantees of Registered Securities - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.rowancompanies.com/role/GuaranteesOfRegisteredSecuritiesCondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Guarantees of Registered Securities - Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>rdc-20160930.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20160930.xsd</File>
    <File>rdc-20160930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20160930_def.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20160930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>rdc-20160930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
