History

More than 80 years ago A.C McNeill Ltd Well Drilling Contractors started in the drilling business with a leased horse drawn drilling rig (circa 1918), drilling water bores and installing windmills and pumps, progressing through the years during which Alan McNeill took over from his father Andrew in 1946 . Allan revamped the business with the purchase of a new rig in 1949 and a second in 1952. The following year Hamish Pearson started with the company, a relationship that continued for the next 50 years, becoming a share holder in 1963 when McNeill Drilling Co Ltd was formed.  Ken Richardson bought into McNeill Drilling in 1980 with Hamish Pearson owning a third share each, with K.G Richardson & Sons eventually owning 100% by the year 2000. Now with a staff of around 40+, McNeills operate 13 truck mounted rigs, 3 skid mounted rigs, 2 track mounted rigs and a specialist Piling crane. McNeills currently operate 2 Drilling branches in Invercargill and Alexandra, with a base in Timaru and Oamaru, run by a staff of 20, while McNeills Pumping division currently has 4 branches in Invercargill, Alexandra, Dunedin and Christchurch also run with a staff of 20. McNeills are proud of their long and successful history and are committed to the continuation of supplying professional Drilling, Piling and Pumping services throughout the South Island of New Zealand.

Drilling (cica 1930) Drilling Fleet 1960s Drilling History Drilling History Drilling Rigs 1960s Fleet 2004