UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

  

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 8, 2016

 

Rowan Companies plc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

England and Wales

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

1-5491

(Commission File Number)

 

98-1023315

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

     

 Rowan Companies plc

2800 Post Oak Boulevard

Suite 5450

Houston, Texas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 77056-6189

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 621-7800

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

 

Item 7.01Regulation FD

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company received notice of early termination from Repsol E&P USA Inc. (“Repsol”) under the terms of the drilling contract for the drillship Rowan Renaissance. The notice is effective immediately. The Company expects to continue to be paid by Repsol on a monthly basis through the original termination date of April 22, 2017, at a rate slightly below the current standby rate. The Company plans to reduce manning and warm stack the drillship in the near term.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 14, 2016 Rowan Companies plc
   
  By:  /s/ Melanie M. Trent
    Melanie M. Trent
Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Chief Administrative Officer and Company Secretary