Thomas P Burke Rowan Companies current chief operating officer, has been promoted to president, though he will keep the existing role too.
Matt Ralls will remain CEO until his retirement in mid-2014, when it is expected that Dr Burke will succeed him as CEO. Ralls will assume the role of executive chairman of the drilling company.
Rowan’s fleet of 31 jack-up rigs works worldwide, including the Middle East, the North Sea, Trinidad, Southeast Asia and the Gulf of Mexico. The company is to enter the ultra-deepwater market with four high-specification drillships expected to be delivered starting late this year.