CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT


 


THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), effective as of April 25, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), is made
by and between Rowan Companies plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”),
and W. Matt Ralls (the “Executive”).


 


WHEREAS, the Company
considers it essential to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to foster the continued employment of key management
personnel;


 


WHEREAS, the Board
recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such
possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction
of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders;


 


WHEREAS, the Board
has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of key
members of the Company’s management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without the distraction of potentially
disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control; and


 


WHEREAS, the Company
wishes to enter into this Agreement to protect the Executive’s reasonable expectations regarding compensation and duties
if a Change in Control occurs, thereby encouraging the Executive to remain in the employ of the Company notwithstanding the possibility
of a Change in Control;


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:


 


1.                 
Term of Agreement. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date hereof and shall continue in effect
through the later of (i) the date on which the Company’s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders occurs and (ii) April 30, 2016.


 


2.                 
Company’s General Obligations. In order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the Company or an
Affiliate, as applicable, and in consideration of the Executive’s covenants set forth in Section 7, the Company agrees, under
the conditions described herein, to pay the Executive the Severance Payments and the other payments and benefits described herein.
Except as provided in Section 10.1, no Severance Payments shall be payable under this Agreement unless there shall have been (or,
under the terms of the second sentence of Section 5.1, there shall be deemed to have been) a termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Company or an Affiliate thereof following a Change in Control and during the Term.


 


3.                 
Compensation Other Than Severance Payments.


 


3.1             
Following a Change in Control and during the Term, during any period that the Executive fails to perform the Executive’s
duties with the Company or an Affiliate thereof as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Company shall
continue to pay the Executive’s Base Salary to the Executive at the rate in effect at the commencement of any such period,
together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of the Company’s or its Affiliates’
written plans as in effect during such period, until the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Disability.


 






    	 



    	 



    

  


3.2             
Following a Change in Control and during the Term, in the event of the Executive’s death, the Company shall pay to
the Executive’s estate, the Executive’s Base Salary, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive
under the terms of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ written plans as in effect immediately prior to the date of death,
through the date of the Executive’s death.


 


3.3             
If the Executive’s employment is terminated following a Change in Control and during the Term by the Company for any
reason other than due to the Executive’s Disability or death, then, in addition to any payments and benefits the Executive
is entitled to receive under Section 5 below, if any, the Company shall pay the Executive’s Base Salary to the Executive
through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, together with all compensation
and benefits payable to the Executive through the Date of Termination under the terms of the Company’s or its Affiliates’
written plans as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination.


 


4.                 
Accelerated Vesting.


 


Upon the occurrence
of a Change in Control during the Term, all unvested awards, including, without limitation, any restricted shares, restricted share
units, share appreciation rights, performance units, dividend equivalent rights, options, bonus shares or other performance awards,
if any (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Executive’s short-term annual incentive bonus, if any), granted to
the Executive under the Company’s incentive plans (such plans, collectively, the “Plans,” and any such
awards, collectively, the “Awards”), shall become immediately fully vested and where applicable, exercisable,
all restrictions and conditions thereon shall be deemed satisfied in full, and all limitations shall be deemed expired unless otherwise
provided in the applicable award documents. Any vested share options or share appreciation rights held by the Executive shall be
exercisable until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Change in Control or (ii) the original maximum term of the share
option or share appreciation right, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board retains the right to cancel outstanding
Awards in exchange for cash (or other consideration) with respect to all Awards granted under the Plans, pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the Plans.


 


5.                 
Severance Payments.


 


5.1             
If the Executive incurs a Qualifying Termination during the Term, then the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts,
and provide the Executive the benefits, set forth in this Section 5.1 (“Severance Payments”) in addition to
any payments and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under Sections 3 and/or 4, as applicable.


 


(A)                        
In lieu of any severance payments and benefits otherwise payable to the Executive under any plan or arrangement between
the Company or an Affiliate thereof and the Executive, on or before the 14th day following the Executive’s Date of Termination,
the Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to:


 






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(I)                           
the sum of (a) the Executive’s Base Salary that would, absent the Executive’s termination, otherwise be paid
to the Executive from the Date of Termination through the remainder of the Term, and (b) the Executive’s bonus amount that
would, absent the Executive’s termination, otherwise be paid to the Executive from the Date of Termination through the remainder
of the Term; such bonus amount(s) will be calculated as the greater of (1) the Executive’s average short-term incentive bonuses
awarded to the Executive in respect of the three calendar years prior to the year in which the Date of Termination occurs or (2)
the Executive’s target short-term incentive bonus under the Company’s or one of its Affiliate’s then-current
annual incentive plan for the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs (for the avoidance of doubt, the Executive
is entitled to a bonus in each year of the Term and shall receive such bonus(es), irrespective of the timing of the Change in Control
and Date of Termination), plus


 


(II)                        
a lump-sum amount equal to any forfeited account balance or accrued benefit under any tax-qualified plans maintained by
the Company or its Affiliates, with the amount of any forfeited defined benefit plan benefit determined using the actuarial factors
then used under such plan for conversion of a benefit to a lump sum amount.


 


(B)                         
From the Date of Termination through the remainder of the Term, or, if earlier, until the Executive becomes eligible for
healthcare under a subsequent employer’s health plan (in either case, such period, the “Medical Coverage Period”),
the Company or one of its Affiliates shall provide the Executive, and the Executive’s covered dependents as of the Date of
Termination, with Medical Coverage substantially similar to that provided to the Executive and such covered dependents immediately
prior to the Date of Termination, at no greater cost to the Executive than the cost to the Executive immediately prior to such
date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the
expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover the Executive under its group health
plans or cannot provide the benefit without violating applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public
Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to the Executive
in substantially equal monthly installments over the Medical Coverage Period (or the remaining portion thereof).


 


5.2             
Excise Tax.


 


(A)In the
event that any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2)) to or for
the benefit of the Executive (including, without limitation, the accelerated vesting of incentive or equity awards held by the
Executive), whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (collectively,
the “Payments”) (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G, and
(ii) but for this Section 5.2 would be subject to the Excise Tax, then the Payments hereunder shall be either (a) provided to the
Executive in full, or (b) reduced to the extent necessary so that no portion of such Payments is subject to the Excise Tax, whichever
of the foregoing amounts, after taking into account applicable federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes, the
Excise Tax, and any other applicable taxes, results in the receipt by the Executive of the greatest amount of Payments. In the
event of a reduction of Payments under Section 5.2(A)(ii)(b) above, such reduction shall be made from the cash amounts payable
under Section 5.1(A)(I), then Section 5.1(A)(II), and finally Section 5.1(A)(III). No reductions will be made other than those
described in the preceding sentence regardless of the after-tax effect thereof.


 






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(B)All
determinations required to be made under this Section 5.2 shall be made by the Company’s accounting firm (the “Accounting
Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive. All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Absent manifest error, any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section
5.2, the Accounting Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable,
good faith interpretations concerning the application of the Code and other applicable legal authority. The Company and the Executive
shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make
a determination under this Section 5.2. In any event that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any reduction in benefits
under this Section 5.2 shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, and, to the extent required
to avoid the imposition of any tax or penalty under Section 409A, where two different cash Payments are subject to potential reduction
but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.


 


6.                 
Legal Fees and Expenses.


 


The Company or one
of its Affiliates shall pay to the Executive all reasonable legal fees and expenses in seeking in good faith to obtain or enforce
any benefit or right provided by this Agreement. Any such payment shall be due upon delivery of the Executive’s written request
for payment accompanied with such evidence of such legal fees and expenses incurred as the Company or one of its Affiliates reasonably
may require. Any such payment shall be made on the last business day of the calendar month following the month in which the payment
becomes due; provided, however, that any such payment shall be made not later than the close of the Executive’s
taxable year following the taxable year in which the legal fee or expense is incurred by the Executive. In no event shall any reimbursement
be made to the Executive for reasonable legal fees or expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6 after the later of (i) the fifth
anniversary of the date of Executive’s death or (ii) the date that is five years after the date of Executive’s Date
of Termination with the Company or an Affiliate thereof.


 






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7.                 
Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation.


 


7.1             
Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company and its
Affiliates (including, without limitation, Rowan US) (together, the “Company Group”) all trade secrets and information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company Group and their respective businesses treated as confidential by the Company Group, in
any case, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company Group and which
shall not have been or hereafter become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement) (hereinafter being collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”).
The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process,
communicate or divulge any Confidential Information to anyone other than the Company and those designated by the Company.
Any termination of the Executive’s employment or of this Agreement shall have no effect on the continuing operation of this
Section 7.1. The Executive agrees to return all Confidential Information, including all photocopies, extracts and summaries thereof,
and any such information stored electronically on tapes, computer disks or in any other manner to the Company or an Affiliate thereof
at any time upon request by the Company of an Affiliate thereof and upon the termination of his employment for any reason and upon
the expiration of the Term.


 


7.2             
Non-Solicitation. During the Restricted Period, the Executive agrees that the Executive will not, directly or indirectly,
for his benefit or for the benefit of any other person, firm or entity, do any of the following: solicit the employment or services
of, or hire, any person who was known to be employed by or was a known consultant to the Company Group upon the Date of Termination,
or within six months prior thereto.


 


7.3             
Additional Matters. The Executive and the Company agree and acknowledge that the Company has a substantial and legitimate
interest in protecting the Confidential Information and the Company Group’s goodwill. The Executive and the Company further
agree and acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 7 are reasonably necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate
business interests and are designed to protect the Confidential Information and the Company Group’s goodwill. The Executive
agrees that the scope of the restrictions as to time, and scope of activity in this Section 7 are reasonably necessary for the
protection of the Company Group’s legitimate business interests and are not oppressive or injurious to the public interest.
The Executive agrees that, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section 7, the Company
shall be entitled to injunctive relief against the Executive’s activities to the extent allowed by law. The Executive further
agrees that any breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of this Section 7 would cause irreparable injury to the Company
for which it would have no adequate remedy at law. The Company and the Executive agree that the remedies specified in this Section
7.3 constitute the Company’s sole remedies for a breach of the provisions of this Section 7 by the Executive.


 


8.                 
Termination Procedures.


 


8.1             
Notice of Termination. After a Change in Control and during the Term, any termination of the Executive’s employment
(other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party hereto to the other
party hereto in accordance with Section 11 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination”
shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth the
Date of Termination.


 






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8.2             
Date of Termination. “Date of Termination,” with respect to any termination of the Executive’s
employment after a Change in Control and during the Term, shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for
Disability, 30 days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time
performance of the Executive’s duties during such 30 day period), (ii) if the Executive incurs a Qualifying Termination within
six months prior to a Change in Control, the date on which such Change in Control occurs, and (iii) if the Executive’s employment
is terminated for any other reason other than the Executive’s death, the date specified in the Notice of Termination which
shall not be less than 15 days nor more than 60 days from the date such Notice of Termination is given.


 


9.                 
No Mitigation.


 


The Company agrees
that, if the Executive’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate thereof terminates during the Term, the Executive is
not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant
to Sections 3, 4 and/or 5, as applicable, hereof. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement
shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer or by offset against
any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or otherwise.


 


10.             
Successors; Binding Agreement. 


 


10.1         
In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption
and agreement in writing prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle
the Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to hereunder
if the Executive were to incur a Qualifying Termination during the Term, except that, for purposes of implementing the foregoing,
the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.


 


10.2         
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall die while any amount
would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of
the Executive) if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.


 






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11.             
Notices


 


For the purpose of
this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed,
if to the Executive, to the address inserted below the Executive’s signature on the final page hereof and, if to the Company,
to the address set forth below, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance
herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:


 


To the Company:


 


Rowan Companies plc

2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 5450

Houston, TX 77056

Attention: Company Secretary


 


12.             
Miscellaneous


 


No provision of this
Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed
by the Executive and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Committee. No waiver by either party hereto at any time
of any breach by the other party hereto of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to
be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any
prior or subsequent time. This Agreement supersedes any other agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied,
with respect to the subject matter hereof which have been made by the parties, including, without limitation, that certain Change
in Control Agreement, by and between Executive and the Company, dated as of December 2, 2008, as amended and supplemented from
time to time. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Texas. All references to sections of the Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions
to such sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable withholding required under federal, state
or local law and any additional withholding to which the Executive has agreed. The obligations of the Company and the Executive
under this Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total performance after the expiration of the Term (including,
without limitation, those under Section 5 hereof) shall survive such expiration.


 


13.             
Validity


 


The invalidity or unenforceability
of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which
shall remain in full force and effect.


 


14.             
Counterparts


 


This Agreement may
be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute
one and the same instrument.


 






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15.             
Settlement of Disputes


 


All claims by the Executive
for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to and determined by the Committee and shall be in writing. Any denial by the
Committee of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing within 30 days after written
notice of the claim is provided to the Company in accordance with Section 11 and shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial
and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The Committee shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the Executive
for a review of the decision denying a claim and shall further allow the Executive to appeal to the Committee a decision of the
Committee within 60 days after notification by the Committee that the Executive’s claim has been denied.


 


16.             
Employment


 


This Agreement shall
not be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment and, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the
Executive and the Company or an Affiliate thereof, the Executive shall not have any rights to be retained in the employ of the
Company or any of its Affiliates.


 


17.             
Definitions


 


For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:


 


(A)                        
“Accounting Firm” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(B) hereof.


 


(B)                         
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange
Act.


 


(C)                         
“Base Salary” shall mean the normal or customary annual salary as regularly paid by the Company including
any portion which the Executive has deferred.


 


(D)                        
“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.


 


(E)                         
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


(F)                          
A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following
paragraphs shall have occurred on or after the Effective Date:


 


(I)                           
any “person” (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, and as modified in Section 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act) other than (i)  the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) any Affiliate of the foregoing, (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by shareholders
of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company or (v) an underwriter temporarily holding
securities pursuant to an offering of such securities (a “Person”), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting shares of the Company then outstanding; or


 






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(II)                        
individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that for purposes of this definition of Change
in Control, any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date whose nomination or appointment to the
Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of an election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other solicitation
of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or


 


(III)                     
the consummation of any merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation of the Company or one of its subsidiaries
(a “Business Combination”) with or into any other entity, other than a merger, reorganization, business
combination or consolidation which would result in (i) the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto holding securities which represent immediately after such merger, reorganization, business combination or consolidation
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving company or the parent of such
surviving company or (ii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation, or the similar managing
body of a non-corporate entity, resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or


 


(IV)                     
the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other
than (i) a sale or disposition if the holders of the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
hold securities immediately thereafter which represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the
acquirer, or parent of the acquirer, of such assets or (ii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
corporation, or the similar managing body of a non-corporate entity, resulting from such sale or disposition were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such sale or
disposition; or


 


(V)                        
the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.


 






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(G)                        
“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.


 


(H)                        
“Committee” shall mean the compensation committee of the Board, or such other committee designated by
the Board.


 


(I)                           
“Company” shall mean Rowan Companies plc and, except in determining under Section 17(F) hereof whether
or not any Change in Control has occurred, shall include any successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.


 


(J)                           
“Company Group” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.


 


(K)                        
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 hereof.


 


(L)                         
“Date of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 hereof.


 


(M)                       
“Disability” shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment,
if, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from
the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company for a period of six consecutive months, the Company
shall have given the Executive a Notice of Termination for Disability, and, within 30 days after such Notice of Termination is
given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties.


 


(N)                        
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.


 


(O)                        
“Excise Tax” shall mean any excise tax imposed under Code Section 4999.


 


(P)                          
“Executive” shall mean the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement.


 


(Q)                        
 “Medical Coverage” shall mean medical and dental benefits, including the executive medical reimbursement
program benefits and reimbursements for annual physical examinations for the Executive and his dependents.


 


(R)                         
“Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 hereof.


 


(S)                          
“Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 hereof.


 






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(T)                          
“Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee
or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly,
by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company.


 


(U)                        
“Plans” shall have the meaning set forth on Section 4 hereof.


 


(V)                        
“Qualifying Termination” shall mean the Executive’s “separation from service” from
the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (a “Separation from Service”) (i) as a result of
a termination of the Executive’s employment as Executive Chairman of the Board during the Term due to the Company or the
Board requesting the Executive resign as Executive Chairman or as a result of the non-election of the Executive as Executive Chairman,
in either case, at any time following a Change in Control, (ii) due to the Company or the Board requesting the Executive resign
as Executive Chairman within six months prior to a Change in Control if such request was at the request, direction or suggestion,
directly or indirectly, of a Person who has entered into an agreement or with whom the Company contemplates will enter into an
agreement with the Company the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control, (iii) as a result of the non-election
of the Executive as Executive Chairman within six months prior to a Change in Control as a result of the request, direction or
suggestion, directly or indirectly, of such Person described in clause (ii) hereof, provided, in the case of clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii), that the Executive is willing and able to continue providing services to the Company on terms and conditions substantially
similar to those immediately prior to such Separation from Service beginning upon the Executive’s Separation from Service,
or (iv) due to the Executive’s voluntary resignation as Executive Chairman of the Board after a Change in Control as a result
of the occurrence (without the Executive’s express written consent) of a material reduction in the Executive’s compensation,
inclusive of bonuses and equity awards, as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time, except
for across-the-board reductions similarly affecting all senior executives of the Company and all senior executives of any Person
on control of the Company; provided, in the case of clause (iv), that the Executive must first provide to the Company (A) a written
notice clearly and fully describing the material reduction in the Executive’s compensation within 90 days of the first date
of such act, and (B) an opportunity for the Company, within 30 days following its receipt of such notice, to cure such act, and
the Company must fail to correct such act prior to the end of such cure period.


 


(W)                       
“Restricted Period” shall mean one year.


 


(X)                        
“Rowan US” shall mean Rowan Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


 






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(Y)                        
“Section 409A” shall mean Code Section 409A and the rules and regulations issued thereunder by the Department
of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.


 


(Z)                         
“Severance Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.


 


(AA)                  
“Term” shall mean the period of time described in Section 1 hereof.


 


18.             
Time of Reimbursements


 


All reimbursements
pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) such that the reimbursements
will be deemed payable at a specified time or on a fixed schedule relative to a permissible payment event. Specifically, the amounts
reimbursed under Section 5 during the Executive’s taxable year may not affect the amounts reimbursed in any other taxable
year (except that total reimbursements may be limited by a lifetime maximum under a group health plan), the reimbursement of an
eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which
the expense was incurred, and the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.


 


19.             
Section 409A Compliance


 


The amounts payable
under this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and the provisions of this Agreement will be construed
accordingly. If a provision of the Agreement would result in the imposition of an applicable tax under Section 409A, such provision
shall be reformed to avoid imposition of the applicable tax if permissible and no such action taken to comply with Section 409A
shall be deemed to adversely affect the rights or benefits of the Executive hereunder.


 


If the Executive is
deemed to be a “Specified Employee” as of the date of his “Separation from Service” (each as defined in
Section 409A) as determined by the Company, the payment of any amount under this Agreement on account of Separation from Service
that is deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, shall not be paid before the
earliest of (i) the first business day that is at least six months after the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service,
(ii) the date of the Executive’s death, or (iii) the date that otherwise complies with the requirements of Section 409A.
This provision shall be applied by accumulating all payments that otherwise would have been paid within six months of the Executive’s
Separation from Service and paying such accumulated amounts, without interest, at the earliest date as described in the preceding
sentence and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates
specified herein.


 


All payments to be
made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement may only be made upon a “separation from service” under
Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment under this Agreement is treated as a separate payment for purposes of
applying Section 409A. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment.


 


[Signature Page Follows]


 






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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this Agreement effective as of the date above first written.


 





	 	ROWAN COMPANIES PLC
	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	Melanie M. Trent
	 	Senior Vice President, CAO & Corporate Secretary
	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE:
	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	W. Matt Ralls
	 	c/o Rowan Companies, Inc.
	 	2800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 5450
	 	Houston, Texas 77056







 






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