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.

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.

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CONTACT: Suzanne M. Spera, Director, Investor Relations, (713) 960-7517, sspera@rowancompanies.com