Rowan Companies News

Offshore drilling contactor Valaris, which is exploring a bankruptcy restructuring, on Thursday said it could take up to two years to reactivate idle equipment as contracts dry up during a historic rout in oil prices.Global oil markets have collapsed since the beginning of March as the coronavirus pandemic has crushed fuel demand. Expensive offshore drilling projects have been halted or delayed, creating an uncertain outlook for service firms that had hardly recovered from the last oil price crash.London-based Valaris, the result of the 2019 merger of Ensco Plc and Rowan Companies, posted a $2.81 billion asset impairment charge in the first quarter.

Offshore oil driller Valaris PLC is exploring debt restructuring options as it grapples with a rig accident and a broader collapse in energy prices, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.Valaris has tapped debt restructuring attorneys at law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP for advice on ways to rework its roughly $6.5 billion debt pile, and is exploring enlisting a turnaround firm that specializes in urgently addressing stressed finances to bolster its roster of advisers, the…

The global enterprise applications company IFS announced that international offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling has deployed IFS Applications to improve operations and optimize its IT landscape.The enterprise software company said in a press release that the go-live is part of an implementation that will see IFS Applications rolled out to 10 oil rigs and over 1,000 users by January 2019.Borr Drilling, with a fleet of 36 rigs, 9 of which are currently under construction,  decided to replace its incumbent business systems to support its goal of becoming the world’s leading provider of jack-up drills and drilling services, and to strengthen the efficiency of its international operations…

Offshore drilling contractor Rowan Companies plc announced Monday that its drillship Rowan Reliance has been awarded a contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico by Fieldwood Energy LLC.The contract is for a firm term of one year plus three 90-day options, and is expected to commence the first quarter of 2019. The R-Class ultra-deepwater Rowan Reliance is currently warm stacked offshore Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.Tom Burke, Rowan's president and CEO, said, "We are excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Fieldwood, a premier offshore operator, and look forward to a successful, long-term partnership with this major player in the Gulf of Mexico."In addition, Cantium has extended its previously announced contract for the EXL III in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico by three months.

Offshore driller Rowan Companies has been awarded a two-well contract for its Rowan Norway jack-up rig in the Mediterranean Sea by Turkish Petroleum.Rowan Companies announced that the Rowan Norway, an N-Class ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig, has been awarded a two-well contract in the Mediterranean Sea by Turkish Petroleum with an estimated duration 100-140 days.The contract is expected to commence in late 2018. The Rowan Norway is currently warm-stacked in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. Rowan is a global provider of contract drilling services with a fleet of 27 mobile offshore drilling units, composed of 23 self-elevating jack-up rigs and four ultra-deepwater drillships.The Company's fleet operates worldwide…

Mr. John Rynd graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, and as a director of Hercules Offshore from 2008 through 2016. Prior to his time with Hercules, Mr. Rynd spent 11 years with Noble Drilling Services, Inc., where he served in a variety of management roles. Earlier in his career, he served in various roles of increasing levels of responsibility with Chiles Offshore and Rowan Companies. Beyond this, Mr. Rynd served as Chairman of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) from 2014-15 and currently holds an Ex-Officio position on the Executive Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of Fieldwood Holdings LLC, and was on the Board of Directors of Hornbeck Offshore, Inc.

Rowan Companies plc announced that the Rowan EXL III, an EXL Class high specification jack-up rig, has been awarded a six-month contract from Cantium in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The contract is expected to commence in early November 2018. The EXL III is currently under contract with Cantium in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico through mid to late August 2018. Rowan is a global provider of contract drilling services with a fleet of 27 mobile offshore drilling units, composed of 23 self-elevating jack-up rigs and four ultra-deepwater drillships.The Company's fleet operates worldwide, including the United States Gulf of Mexico, the United Kingdom and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea…

Contract drilling services provider Rowan Companies plc announced that the one of its R-Class drillships, Rowan Relentless, has been awarded a contract by ExxonMobil to drill a prospect in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The contract is expected to commence in September 2018 and last for 80 days, followed by four one-well, priced options.

Rowan Companies  announced  that the Rowan Gorilla VII, a Super Gorilla Class ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig, has been awarded an 18-month program by Chrysaor in the UK sector of the North Sea. The contract is expected to commence imminently for 18 months of work followed by two, one-year options. The Gorilla VII has recently undergone significant life enhancements including a new top drive, and upgrades to the BOP and drilling controls. Tom Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Rowan's solid position in the harsh environment North Sea jack-up region is further strengthened by this commitment from Chrysaor. Rowan is a global provider of contract drilling services with a fleet of 27 mobile offshore drilling units…

Tidewater has strengthened its management team with the appointments of David Darling as VP and Chief Human Resources Officer and Mark Parker as Vice President, Corporate Taxation. Darling joins Tidewater with over 24 years of domestic and international human resources experience, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., where he was the Human Resource Director since 2007. Prior to Gulfmark, he served in executive human resources roles with Rigdon Marine and a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Darling has additional offshore vessel industry experience as a Vessel Master and Operations Manager.

Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) appointed John T. Rynd as the company's new President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors effective March 5. He replaces Larry T. Rigdon who has served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer since October of 2017. Tom Bates, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said "After completing a comprehensive search, the Board is very pleased to welcome John to the team. He brings with him considerable experience in the offshore drilling services sector and the global oil and gas industry as a whole. Rynd previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, and as a director of Hercules Offshore from 2008 through 2016.

Offshore driller Rowan Companies plc said it has purchased two LeTourneau Super 116E jack-up rigs, the P-59 and P-60, both delivered new into service in 2013, in a public auction from a subsidiary of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. for $38.5 million per unit. As reported in May 2017, Rowan was the high bidder in a Petrobras public auction with a bid price of $30 million per rig. While the high bid was not accepted by Petrobras, after negotiations, both parties agreed to the revised price. Rowan sad it intends to mobilize the jack-ups to the Middle East from their current location in Brazil in late first quarter 2018. Tom Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We consider this purchase an opportunistic investment, made near a cyclical low, at a highly attractive price.

ARO Drilling, a 50/50 joint venture between Rowan Companies plc and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), commenced operations on October 17, 2017. As part of the initial startup of ARO Drilling, Rowan and Saudi Aramco contributed equal amounts of cash into the joint venture. Following these contributions, Rowan sold three of its jack-up drilling rigs to ARO Drilling, including the J.P. Bussell, which was previously idle, and Saudi Aramco sold one of its jack-up drilling rigs to ARO Drilling. Following the purchase of these drilling rigs, ARO Drilling distributed excess cash in the amount of approximately $88 million to each of Rowan and Saudi Aramco maintaining each party's 50% ownership interests in the joint venture.

The Woodmac report we saw offered us cause for pause — “Strong activity from the (major oil companies)” while “national oil companies have tightened their purse strings.” What Maritime Reporter found, was that national oil companies — nation-builders, for many — are putting their money in affiliate shipyards. The hope of two, new shipbuilding giants is jobs, innovation, national survival and export security. The model is to invite those who have done it before: Koreans, Japanese, French and a contractor with offshore and marine experience.

ASRY, a ship and rig repair yard in the Arabian Gulf, has welcomed its 100th rig repair job to the yard, as 2016 posts the highest number of rig repair contracts in the yards history. The project is on the high specification jack-up rig ‘Bob Palmer’, one of the largest jack-up rigs in the world,  owned and operated by Rowan Companies, which is one of the world’s leading providers of offshore contract drilling services, and long-term client of ASRY’s. “ASRY’s diversification into rig repair has continually proven to be one of the yard’s most perceptive moves…

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) elected 14 industry leaders to its Board of Directors on April 21, 2016 during its Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Gary Luquette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Franks International, N.V. Kirk Meche, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. Richard Morrison, Regional President Gulf of Mexico, BP America, Inc. W. Matt Ralls, Executive Chairman, Rowan Companies, Inc. Jeff Platt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tidewater, Inc.

Virtual Marine Technology (VMT) provided its SurvivalQuest lifeboat simulator training system to Rowan Companies for lifeboat launch and recovery training to lifeboat operators and marine crews, complementing weekly safety drills conducted onboard Rowan drilling rigs. “Deploying the lifeboat simulator training system at Rowan will provide us with realistic training and competency assessment of lifeboat coxswains and marine crews, in a safe and controlled environment,” saysid Michael Lawson, Vice President - HSE and Marine.

With the support of Palfinger systems JUMP technology, Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen has completed an upgrade of a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class drilling rig, one of the largest in the North Sea, in 30 days less than was initially projected by the client. Rig owner Rowan Companies Plc projected that the work on the Rowan Viking would require 130 days, but due to the application of innovative project planning techniques and highly specialized equipment Dutch shipyard Damen was able to reduce this by nearly 25 percent.

Rowan Companies plc informed today that its monthly report of drilling rig status and contract details have been updated as of November 20, 2014. Rowan Louisiana: As previously indicated, awarded a one-well contract with an estimated minimum duration of 45 days with EnVen in the Gulf of Mexico at $85,000 per day, which commenced in mid-November 2014. Rowan Resolute: As previously indicated, commenced operations on October 16, 2014 in the US Gulf of Mexico. Increased previously planned 4Q 2014 off rate time by 20 days to a total of 27 days in order to complete certain commissioning tasks. Rowan Gorilla VI: As previously indicated, commenced operations in early September 2014. Increased off rate time by 19 days to a total of 26 days during 4Q 2014.

Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) appointed Stephen M. Butz as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective December 1, 2014.     Butz joins the company from Hercules Offshore, Inc., where for the past nine years he has served in various corporate development, treasury and finance functions, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Butz also has more than 10 years' experience in commercial and investment banking.   Butz will take over from Kevin Bartol, whose resignation was previously announced and is effective as of November 30, 2014.

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has completed a major upgrade of a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class drilling rig, one of the largest in the North Sea, in thirty days less than was initially projected by the client. Owner Rowan Companies plc. projected that the work on the Rowan Viking would require 130 days, but through the application of innovative project planning techniques and highly specialised equipment Damen was able to reduce this by nearly 25 percent. The scope of the project involved the extension of the three legs by 10 metres to 180 metres, a five-yearly special periodic survey and bringing the rig up to standard for the AoC (acknowledgement of compliance) certification required by the Norwegian authorities.

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has completed the upgrade of a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class drilling rig, one of the largest in the North Sea, in thirty days less than was initially projected by the client. Owner Rowan Companies plc. projected that the work on the Rowan Viking would require 130 days, but through the application of innovative project planning techniques and highly specialized equipment Damen was able to reduce this by nearly 25 percent.

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV), part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, says it has been awarded a contract by a subsidiary of Rowan Companies plc to remodel the 'Rowan Viking', a Keppel Fels ‘N’ Class Drilling Rig. The rig, which at 124 (l) x 95 (w) x 170 (h) metres is one of the largest of its type. Damen explains that because  the leg extension work will be done at great heights, DSV has contracted Palfinger Systems to use the latter’s unique JUMP Systems. JUMP stands for Jack Up Maintenance Platform. These are platforms that can be built around, and moved up and down, the legs. Mammoet’s largest PTC cranes will be used to hoist the 120-tonne leg extensions. The crane will be more than 200 metres high (nearly four times the height of the covered dock at the shipyard in Vlissingen).