HOUSTON, May 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the three months ended March 31, 2014, Rowan Companies plc ("Rowan" or the "Company") (NYSE: RDC) generated net income from continuing operations of $55.6 million, or $0.45 per share, compared to $68.1 million, or $0.55 per share in the first quarter of 2013. The current quarter reflects a settlement gain related to a rig collision during 2012 which increased net income from continuing operations by $20.9 million, or $0.17 per share. Excluding the impact of this item, net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2014 was $34.7 million, or $0.28 per share.

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Rowan's revenues were $377.6 million in the first quarter of 2014, down 4% from the prior-year quarter due primarily to slightly lower utilization. Our first quarter 2014 revenues and operating results were significantly impacted by the previously disclosed out-of-service periods for the Gorilla VI and Gorilla VII.

Tom Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have achieved an exciting milestone, with our first ultra-deepwater drillship operating on rate in Namibia. Our deepwater and project management teams have executed well, and the ship is one of the most capable in the world wide fleet. While we are disappointed with the first quarter's out of service time on two of our higher day rate jack-ups, our entry into deepwater and the corresponding structural earnings growth is on track.

We are in an excellent competitive position due to our high-specification jack-ups and ultra-deepwater drillships, along with our highly skilled drilling crews, even as the industry may face headwinds as new capacity enters the market and displaces older and less capable rigs. We started the year with more than half of our fleet coming off contract during 2014 and we have extended or contracted four rigs at or above their existing rates and expect similar results for the remaining rigs over the balance of the year."

Rowan will conduct its earnings conference call on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by telephone or over the Internet. Individuals who wish to participate on the conference call by telephone may dial (877) 869-3847, or internationally (201) 689-8261. You should dial-in approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Alternatively, to access the online simulcast and rebroadcast of the conference call, please visit Rowan's website at www.rowancompanies.com. You should connect to our website at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to register, and download any necessary software.

Rowan Companies plc is a global provider of international and domestic contract drilling services in the ultra-deepwater and shallow water jack-up market with a fleet of 34 offshore drilling units, including four ultra-deepwater drillships, three of which are currently under construction, and 30 jack-up rigs, 19 of which are rated high-specification. The Company's fleet is located worldwide, including West Africa, the Middle East, the North Sea, Trinidad, Egypt, Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Mexico. Three of the four ultra-deepwater drillships are under three year contracts. The Company's Class A Ordinary Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RDC." For more information on the Company, please visit www.rowancompanies.com.

Statements herein that are not historical facts are forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements as to the expectations, beliefs and future expected business, financial performance and prospects of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to certain risks, assumptions, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include oil and natural gas prices, the level of offshore expenditures by energy companies, variations in energy demand, changes in day rates, cancellation by our customers of drilling contracts or letter agreements or letters of intent for drilling contracts or the exercise of early termination provisions, risks associated with fixed cost drilling operations, cost overruns or delays on shipyard repair, construction or transportation of drilling units, maintenance and repair costs, costs or delays for conversion or upgrade projects, operating hazards and equipment failure, risks of collision and damage, casualty losses and limitations on insurance coverage, customer credit and risk of customer bankruptcy, conditions in the general economy and energy industry, weather conditions and severe weather in the Company's operating areas, increasing complexity and costs of compliance with environmental and other laws and regulations, changes in tax laws and interpretations by taxing authorities, changes in tax rates and provisions, civil unrest and instability, terrorism and hostilities in our areas of operations that may result in loss or seizure of assets, the outcome of disputes and legal proceedings, effects of the change in our corporate structure, and other risks disclosed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.



                                       ROWAN  COMPANIES  PLC

                             CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEETS

                                     Unaudited  (In  Millions)




                                                     MARCH 31,        DECEMBER 31,

                                                               2014                2013
                                                               ----                ----


                              ASSETS


    Cash and cash
     equivalents                                           $1,440.4            $1,092.8

    Accounts
     receivable                                               383.6               344.6

    Other current
     assets                                                    56.3                67.7

    Assets of
     discontinued
     operations                                                   -                23.8
                                                                ---                ----

         Total current
          assets                                            1,880.3             1,528.9

    Property, plant and
     equipment -net                                         6,835.3             6,385.8

    Other assets                                               68.5                61.1
                                                               ----                ----

         TOTAL                                             $8,784.1            $7,975.8
                                                           ========            ========



               LIABILITIES AND  STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY


    Accounts payable                                         $100.1              $124.0

    Other current
     liabilities                                              199.8               210.5

    Liabilities of
     discontinued
     operations                                                   -                20.1
                                                                ---                ----

         Total current
          liabilities                                         299.9               354.6

    Long-term
     debt                                                   2,808.0             2,008.7

    Other
     liabilities                                              719.4               718.7

    Stockholders'
     equity                                                 4,956.8             4,893.8
                                                            -------             -------

         TOTAL                                             $8,784.1            $7,975.8
                                                           ========            ========




                                   ROWAN  COMPANIES  PLC

                          CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF
                                         OPERATIONS

                        Unaudited  (In  Millions  Except  Per Share
                                          Amounts)


                                                                THREE
                                                               MONTHS

                                                                ENDED
                                                              MARCH  31

                                                                     2014            2013
                                                                     ----            ----


    REVENUES                                                       $377.6          $394.2
                                                                   ------          ------


    COSTS  AND
     EXPENSES:

                           Operations                               220.3           209.5

                            Depreciation
                            and
                            amortization             70.9                  64.6

                            Selling,
                            general
                            and
                            administrative           29.9                  29.4

                            (Gain)/loss
                            on
                            disposals
                            of property
                            and
                            equipment                 0.8                   0.3

                            Material
                            charges,
                            settlements
                            and other
                            expenses                (20.9)                             -

                           Total                                    301.0           303.8
                                                                    -----           -----

    INCOME  FROM
     OPERATIONS                                      76.6                  90.4

    Net interest and
     other income                                  (20.7)                 (19.0)

    INCOME  FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS  BEFORE
      INCOME  TAXES                                  55.9                  71.4

    Provision for
     income taxes                                     0.3                   3.3

    NET  INCOME  FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                                      55.6                  68.1

    Discontinued
     operations, net of
     tax                                              4.0                              -
                                                      ---                            ---

    NET  INCOME                                                     $59.6           $68.1
                                                                    =====           =====


    PER  SHARE
     AMOUNTS:

                            Income from
                            continuing
                            operations                              $0.45           $0.55


                            Discontinued
                            operations,
                            net of tax                              $0.03        $      -


                           Net income                               $0.48           $0.55



    AVERAGE  DILUTED
     SHARES                                         124.7                 124.2
                                                    =====                 =====


    NOTE:  See final table for
     supplemental operating information.



                                           ROWAN  COMPANIES  PLC

                            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED   STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS

                                         Unaudited  (In  Millions)



                                                              THREE  MONTHS

                                                             ENDED  MARCH  31

                                                                             2014              2013
                                                                             ----              ----

    CASH
     PROVIDED
      BY
      (USED

      IN):

       Operations:

           Net
           income                                                           $59.6             $68.1

           Adjustments
            to
            reconcile
            net

            income
            to
            net

          cash
           provided
            by
            operations:

              Depreciation
               and

               amortization                       70.9                               64.6

              Deferred

               income

               taxes                             (1.5)                               (0.4)

             Gain
              on
              disposals
               of
               assets                            (1.1)                                0.3

              Other
              -

              net                                                             6.4              13.8

          Net
           changes
            in
            current

            assets
            and

            liabilities                          (55.9)                             (45.2)

          Net
           changes
            in
            other

            noncurrent

            assets
            and

            liabilities                            2.1                                2.0

       Net
        cash

         provided
         by
         operations                               80.5                              103.2
                                                  ----                              -----


        Investing

         activities:

           Property,

            plant
            and

            equipment

            additions                          (532.5)                            (111.9)

           Proceeds

            from

            disposals
            of
            property,

            plant
            and
                                                   6.6                                2.4

       Net
        cash

         used
         in
         investing

         activities                            (525.9)                            (109.5)
                                                ------                             ------


        Financing

         activities:

           Proceeds
           from
           borrowings                            792.7                                           -

           Proceeds

            from

            equity

            compensation

            plans
            and
                                                   0.3                                1.6

       Net
        cash

         provided
         by
         financing

         activities                              793.0                                1.6
                                                 -----                                ---


     INCREASE
     (DECREASE)
      IN
      CASH
      AND

      CASH

      EQUIVALENTS                                347.6                               (4.7)

    CASH
     AND
     CASH

      EQUIVALENTS,

      BEGINNING
      OF
      PERIOD                                   1,092.8                            1,024.0

    CASH
     AND
     CASH

      EQUIVALENTS,
      END
       OF
      PERIOD                                                             $1,440.4          $1,019.3
                                                                         ========          ========




                                                              ROWAN  COMPANIES  PLC

                                                      SUPPLEMENTAL  OPERATING  INFORMATION

                                                                    Unaudited


                                                                                 THREE
                                                                                MONTHS
                                                                                 ENDED
                                                                                ------

                                                                              March 31,                 December 31,               March 31,

                                                                                            2014                       2013                    2013
                                                                                            ----                       ----                    ----


    RIG  DAYS:

      Operating                                                                            2,153                      2,279                   2,230

      Out of service
       (shipyard/
       transit/
       inspections/
       other)                                                   344                                267                        260

      Operational
       downtime (off
       rate during
       rig
       operations)                                               23                                 30                         30

      Cold stacked                                              180                                184                        270
                                                                ---                                ---                        ---


        Total
         available                                            2,700                              2,760                      2,790
                                                              =====                              =====                      =====


        Utilization                                              80%                                83%                        80%
                                                                ===                                ===                        ===

        Utilization
         (excluding
         cold-stacked
         rigs)                                                   85%                                88%                        88%
                                                                ===                                ===                        ===


    AVERAGE  DAY  RATES  (in  thousands):

      North Sea                                                                           $273.6                     $284.0                  $267.2

      Middle East                                             136.0                              135.6                      135.4

      Gulf of Mexico                                          153.6                              143.4                      132.5

      All rigs                                                                             171.4                      168.4                   173.2


    OPERATIONS  COSTS  AND  EXPENSES  (in  millions):

      Personnel (a)                                                                       $138.3                     $141.7                  $128.8

      Repairs and
       maintenance                                             40.8                               42.3                       38.0

      Insurance                                                                              7.8                        8.0                     8.3

      Rig moves                                                                              3.8                        3.8                     7.4

      All other                                                                             21.2                       18.3                    19.2
                                                                                            ----                       ----                    ----

        Subtotal
         (excluding
         rebillables)                                                                     $211.9                     $214.1                  $201.7
                                                                                          ------                     ------                  ------

      Rebillables
       (equally
       offset with
       rebillable
       revenue)                                                 8.4                                9.4                        7.8
                                                                ---                                ---                        ---


        Total                                                                             $220.3                     $223.5                  $209.5
                                                                                          ======                     ======                  ======


        (a)  Includes labor, fringes, training,
         travel and catering costs.

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SOURCE Rowan Companies plc