Merrill R. Mills Jr.
Casper
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Floorhand
Cyclone Drilling
08.2025 - Current
- Tripping and racking pipe, building stands and making connections, maintain and clean the rig
Night Supervisor
Cyclone Drilling
08.2024 - 09.2025
- Supervise and guide employees in to doing their tasks safe and efficiently, make sure the tool pushers knew all the events of the night and what supplies we needs and used. keeping good inventory. Cataloging the times and dates that expendable parts were changed. Supervision: Oversea all drilling operations, including coring, casing, and cementing, to ensure they align with the drilling program and best practices. Safety: Ensure strict adherence to all safety regulations, lead pre-job safety meetings, conduct emergency drills (like BOP drills), and manage the identification and control of hazards. Contractor and personnel management: Direct the work of contractors and personnel, ensure they follow instructions, and coordinate their activities. Logistics: Plan for and monitor the timely arrival of personnel, materials, and equipment at the rig. Reporting: Compile daily drilling reports, track performance, and summarize activities, problems, and issues to senior management. Emergency response: Act as the on-site authority for emergency situations, issuing instructions and ensuring the safety of personnel and property. Problem-solving: Troubleshoot operational challenges that arise during the shift. Coordination: Liaise with other personnel, including drilling engineers, geologists, and senior supervisors, to ensure all operations run smoothly. Additional duties Assist in planning for casing and cementing programs and review contractor proposals. Monitor equipment performance and wellbore conditions. Ensure all work is performed efficiently and within cost objectives. Participate in incident investigations and report on near-misses.
Driller
Cyclone Drilling
02.2020 - 09.2024
- First line of defense against gas kicks, and down hole complications. Key responsibilities
- Supervision and leadership: Oversee and guide the drilling crew, ensuring everyone understands their roles and follows safety procedures.
- Rig operation: Control and operate the drilling rig from the console, including complex tasks like making connections while drilling and tripping.
- Safety enforcement: Maintain a safe working environment by enforcing safety rules, conducting daily safety meetings, and ensuring equipment is safe for use.
- Equipment maintenance: Oversee daily inspections on drilling equipment, lubricate components, and ensure all machinery is in good working order.
- Performance monitoring: Track drilling progress, analyze performance records, and adjust operations to ensure efficiency.
- Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve any issues that arise during drilling operations.
- Compliance: Ensure all activities comply with company policies and legal regulations.
- Rig-up and rig-down: Coordinate and supervise the setup and dismantling of the rig at each location.
Relief Driller
Cyclone Drilling
08.2019 - 04.2020
- Learn how to calculate capacities, volumes, and strokes, Learn how to manage a crew and how to operate the drilling rig monitor and control drilling. Oversee all drilling activities, monitor drilling parameters, and operate machinery to drill boreholes. Ensure safety: Enforce safety protocols and ensure compliance with all safety regulations and procedures on the rig. Supervise crew: Train and supervise the drilling crew, including roustabouts and roughnecks. Equipment maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on drilling equipment and resolve mechanical problems. Data and reporting: Log operational data, interpret data, prepare reports, and collect samples of geological formations. Logistics: Coordinate with other crew members and manage the movement and logistics of drilling equipment. Additional tasks assist in moving and setting up drilling equipment. Mix and transfer drilling fluids. Handle drill pipe and other equipment on the rig floor.
Derrickhand
Cyclone Drilling
01.2017 - 08.2019
- Working safe and efficiently at heights, Pipe handling: Racking and laying down drill pipe and collars during tripping operations. Guiding the drill string as it enters or is withdrawn from the wellbore.
- Drilling fluid (mud) management:
- Maintaining the properties of the drilling fluid by mixing chemicals and additives.
- Monitoring and maintaining the mud pump and the associated equipment.
- Performing regular mud checks to ensure proper viscosity, weight, and other properties are maintained for well stability.
- Rig maintenance and repairs on mud pumps and mud pit equipment
- Performing mechanical repairs and maintenance on various rig components.
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment and facilities, particularly the mud system areas.
- Inspecting and maintaining safety equipment, such as harnesses and derrick components.
- Safety and supervision:
- Ensuring all operations comply with safety and health procedures. Supervising and instructing other crew members.
- Assisting the driller with various tasks and providing a link between the driller and the floorhands.
- Other duties:
- Making drilling connections.
- Assisting with rigging up and rigging down the rig when moving it.
- Performing general cleaning and housekeeping duties.
Floorhand
Cyclone Drilling
05.2016 - 01.2017
- Learn the basics of a drilling rig, build stands to drill with, trip pipe in and out of the hole. keep the rig clean. Learn and understand all different forms of PPE, Mentally log where all tools and equipment are at all times.
Supervisor/ Crew Leader
Dirty Jerry's LLC
07.2009 - 02.2016
- Applied strong leadership and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Observed all operations to verify conformance to specifications.
- Provided reporting for forecast analysis and ad-hoc reporting in support of decision-making.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues. Planning and organizing in and out truck deliveries of supplies and equipment.
Education
Well Control -
Wild Well
Casper, WY06.2025
No Degree - H2S Awareness
Total Safety
La Barge, WY01-2024
No Degree - Fall Rescue
Cyclone Drilling
Gillette, WY01-2024
No Degree - Fall Protection
Cyclone Drilling
Gillette, WYNo Degree - CPR
Cyclone Drilling
Gillette, WY01-2024
No Degree - Loader/forklift-Manlift-Telehandler
Cyclone Drilling
Gillette, WY01-2017
tech - undefined
North Georgia Tech
Toccoa, GA02.2007
High School Diploma - undefined
Stephens County High School
Toccoa, GA08.2004
Skills
- Repairs and maintenance
- Teamwork and flexibility
- Equipment operations
- Safety and regulatory compliance
- Safety protocol adherence
- Emergency procedures
Certification
Wild Well Control, CPR Certification, Tower Rescue, H2S Response
Timeline
Floorhand
Cyclone Drilling
08.2025 - Current
Night Supervisor
Cyclone Drilling
08.2024 - 09.2025
Driller
Cyclone Drilling
02.2020 - 09.2024
Relief Driller
Cyclone Drilling
08.2019 - 04.2020
Derrickhand
Cyclone Drilling
01.2017 - 08.2019
Floorhand
Cyclone Drilling
05.2016 - 01.2017
Supervisor/ Crew Leader
Dirty Jerry's LLC
07.2009 - 02.2016
tech - undefined
North Georgia Tech
High School Diploma - undefined
Stephens County High School
Well Control -
Wild Well
No Degree - H2S Awareness
Total Safety
No Degree - Fall Rescue
Cyclone Drilling
No Degree - Fall Protection
Cyclone Drilling
No Degree - CPR
Cyclone Drilling
No Degree - Loader/forklift-Manlift-Telehandler
Cyclone Drilling