Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes