Merlin is delighted to welcome Willy Reed to the team as a graduate drilling engineer. Willy studied mechanical engineering at the University of Dundee as a mature student and since then he has worked in various technical roles, most recently working as a rig site survey specialist.
Willy brings with him a strong practical and academic foundation in engineering. He is keen to now expand into drilling engineering with a focus on complex wells.
Willy shares “I saw the graduate position at Merlin and felt it was a natural fit,”. “Although I graduated a few years ago, the role aligned perfectly with both my academic background and field experience. My work in surveying offers a complementary skill set that supports my development as a drilling engineer.”
Willy was drawn to Merlin by the complex technical challenges the role offers, along with the company’s location and culture. “After years offshore, I was looking for something closer to home. The idea of working with a smaller, tight-knit team appealed to me. In big corporations, it’s easy to feel like just another number, but you can tell the people at Merlin are valued for their individual skill-set and their team-player mentality.”
Looking ahead, Willy sees the drilling industry as being at an exciting crossroads. “While the fundamentals remain the same, we’re seeing rapid innovation, especially with AI integration and increasingly complex wells. It’s fascinating to think about how technologies like MPD, HPHT and U-Turn wells are shaping the future. Merlin’s investment working with gAIn energy to produce AI-driven solutions is really both exciting and future-forward.”
Willy lives in Dundee and enjoys various outdoor activities, along with spending time with his family.
With his passion for learning and a strong technical foundation, Willy Reed is set to be a valuable contributor to the Merlin team as the business continues to support the delivery of some of the world’s most complex wells.
