X0306 4 2012-09-07 1 0000085408 ROWAN COMPANIES PLC RDC 0001183395 WELLS WILLIAM H 2800 POST OAK BLVD SUITE 5450 HOUSTON TX 77056 0 1 0 0 Former SVP & CFO Common Stock 2012-09-07 4 F 0 10191 36.15 D 84920 D These shares were sold to the Company in payment of a tax liability due to the vesting of restricted shares awarded to the reporting person. Such restricted shares vested on September 7, 2012 upon the reporting person's retirement from the Company. Sales price is the volume weighted average share price on September 7, 2012. Includes 13,201 shares held in a savings plan account as of August 31, 2012. On Septebmer 7, 2012, in connection with the retirement of the reporting person from the Company, the restrictions on all unvested restricted shares granted to the reporting person lapsed. 39,936 stock appreciation rights ("SARs") also vested as of the reporting person's retirement date. The reporting person's vested options remain exercisable until their original expiration dates, respectively, and all of the SARs remain exerciseable until five years from the retirement date, in each case, unless otherwise earlier terminated after the reporting person's retirement date in accordance with the terms of the original grant notices. In addition, 2,475 performance units ("PUs") vested as of the retirement date. Future payout amounts under the PUs, if any, are subject to forfeiture upon breach of the reporting person's retirement agreement. Both the SARs and PUs may be settled in cash or stock at the Compensation Committee's discretion. /s/ Melanie M. Trent, Attorney-in-Fact 2012-09-11