Pat is the Drill Manager for the Cape Roberts Project. Born in Murchison, Pat was raised on a dairy farm, attended primary and secondary school in Murchison and has lived all his life on the West Coast of the South Island. Well almost all his life. As a driller Pat has worked in many places including Australia, Asia and the Antarctic.

Pat began his career with a local drilling company when he left school. "I had an interest in the earth sciences and the thought of being able to drill into the ground and read the geological history from a rock core, sitting right there in front of me really appealed to me".

Most drillers start their drilling careers as roustabouts, learning the trade as they go. There are few set courses or qualifications as many drilling companies have their own ways of doings things. It is an industry where hands-on experience is what counts. Pat says drilling is a frontier business: harsh working conditions, long and irregular hours and long trips away from home. "Only a job for outdoors people".

Pat has a long association with Antarctica having been a driller in charge of a shift working on the CIROS (Cenozoic Investigations of the Ross Sea) drilling project in the early 1980s and in the summer of 1995/96 the Assistant Manager of the second CIROS drilling project. In 1985/86 Pat worked on the USGS (US Geological Service) drilling programme in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

Due to the postponement of the drilling programme last year, Pat and his team were able to test the drilling equipment at Cape Roberts and fine tune some of the systems in preparation for drilling this year. Pat has found that Cape Roberts is different than other projects he has worked on. "Because there are so many countries involved, decisions take a lot longer to make. All major decisions are joint decisions. In the exploratory drilling business, decisions can be made quickly. Also, with Cape Roberts we are dealing with many different sorts of people; scientists, Antarctic administrators and trades people who are not familiar with drilling. We need to explain the drilling process in simple terms so they can plan their work around it."

Pat is quick to point out that drilling on the sea ice at Cape Roberts is pushing the limits of what’s possible. He says that climate, sea ice and the unknown, can have a big affect on the outcome of the project. "I try not to think of all the money that is being spent and all the people who are expecting great things from the project. It is a big responsibility".

Pat speaks very fondly of Antarctica. "It overloads my mind with emotions. I never tire of looking around and appreciating the environment. People are never the same after visiting the Antarctic. It is an amazing place. It is a privilege to be there. It is also a kind place. Although the weather can be very harsh, in the good weather it is very good; a bit like the West Coast!"

The people who Pat has worked with in Antarctica, are also special, he says. "They all have a curiosity for Antarctica, and never complain. They want to be there". The project is however disruptive to normal employment and Pat has had to turn down work so that he can be available during the summer months.

Pat has two children both at school in Murchison. His 14 year old son, Nick is now interested in geology and both now "think in global terms" as a result of the contact they have had with Pat during his drilling career. "I went outside one evening and called home. Sitting there looking at the icebergs and talking to the family was incredible".