The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-07-09
BLACK COLD MAY

UNI exploratory parties several
months before the January date.
Biologists are always along on the
exploration crew. They make sur
vey OF the territory and, following
known scientific facts connected
with oil deposits, drill deep holes
and blast with dynamite. The re-
sidue which is brought up is the
indication of whether or not there
IS oil IN the area. Hc~ much and
how deep, just where, and the type
Is determined by further test drills.
buchanan is from Oklahoma City,
famous for Indicating. z
Asked how oil would be taken
out II found in quantity, Conley
said that probably barges would
be used. There was evidence of an
expectant find in the big piles of
casing around the premises, But
oil men are like treasure hunters.
They clam up when it comes to
giving away the rich secret of
whether or not the black gOld'' is
OF high commercial value, or Il
the main source has actually been
located.
The well can be reached by the
old Federal Highway, S. sos. The
turn off Of present Highway No. /
is at the bend Of the road lust
before you come to Lake Surprise
on the northern tip Of Key Largo,
at D Well-marked sign which reads
Ocean Reef 2 miles. z Turn.
itg right you drive 4 few hundred
feet to S sos. then left on the
slightly rolling road for about nine
miles. Final turn is right again at
the sign which says. Sinclair.
The rigging top is visible just be-
fore You arrive at the road which
cuts into the clearing where the
derrick stands.
There are a few small frame
buildings on the premises, two bunk
houses and . tool shed. The crew
can take rest periods in the bunk
house but live in Homestead. Due
to industrial accident risk, no one
is allowed up on the derrick plat.
form but good view can be had
closeup In the clearing.
A check Of real estate offices In
Tavernier about 20 miles from the
wildcat well revealed no property
boom, but COnley said We've
been keeping the project pretty
quiet. won't commit myself on a
land rush. At the time of The
Citizen staff visit to the wen, Z To-
cal real estate man from Key West
and Florida Highway Patrolman
Sistrunk appeared on the scene.
COnley limited that If oil were
produced in any quantity, the Flo
rida East Coast Railroad mught be
'sTe-vitalized' by . 20 mile spur
branch out Of Homestead to the oil
field.
So far, Sinclair Oh and Gas has
most Of the lease on the ''black
gold land, about 20 miles south
Of Miami. No. / williams Is On 4
block Of III 500 acres, partly on
Key Largo, ! portion In the inland
water between the mainland and
Key Largo, and part on the Allan
nc side Of Key Largo 20 miles
north Of Tavernier. Sinclair con-
Itrols undivided half interest in the
total block. Commonwealth OIL Co.
possess onehaf interest Ia S,660
acres and / one quarter interest
with Coastal Petroleum Company
In the rest Of the LIS, $40 acres Of
oil land.
II was learned that the trace Of
oil showed up in q core within an
area. or rome, from 1874 feet to
10.ooz feet. Experts believe that
that the oil showing is part Of the
Suniiland rome, Florida's only pro
ductive oil field which extends into
Collier County about 100 miles
northeast Of Key Largo.
The No. / williams wildcat Is
within the borders Of Monroe COun-
t.. The local anthem Shrimp
Boats A-Comin, : may Swins to |
Wildcats A-Thumpin'. /"