In 1923, beginning with a small land-based steam rig powered by two 45-horsepower boilers, brothers Charlie and Arch Rowan founded Rowan Drilling Company. Rowan has grown and adapted to serve the emerging needs of the oil and gas industry. The 1994 acquisition of our manufacturing subsidiary, LeTourneau Technologies, Inc. (LTI), positioned us to stay at the forefront of jack-up technology. LTI has designed and built all of our jack-up rigs, and it supports our drilling operations through repair of rigs and equipment. Other milestones include:
1924
Rowan brings in Simmons No. 1, starting an oil boom in Wortham, TX |
1935
The company buys its first diesel electric rig |
1954
Rowan undertakes first platform-mounted drilling job in deep water |
1957
The first Rowan crews are sent to drill in Alaska |
1967
Rowan goes public with an initial offering of 323,000 shares |
1970
The company begins jack-up rig drilling and enhancements to its fleet |
1971
Rowan Drilling Company becomes Rowan Companies, Inc. |
1978
Rowan's first cantilever jack-up rig is delivered |
1983
Delivery of its first Gorilla class jack-up further enhances the Rowan fleet |
1998
LTI delivers Rowan's first Super Gorilla class jack-up rig |
2004
LTI delivers Rowan's first Tarzan Class rig |
