Point For tin Th e sto r y of Point Fo r tin West No. 3 The w ell that launched the development of the ene r g y secto r in Tr inida d and To bago
The story of West No. 3 The well that launched the development of the energy sector in Trinidad and Tobago
2 The story of West No. 3 3 On Reid Road, there stands a landmark -the remnants of an abandoned oil well-that can be traced to the early days of crude oil production in Trinidad and Tobago. This landmark, recognized by some in the energy sector and known only to few members of the community, is particularly significant as it marks the spot of the second commercial well on the island- West No. 4. Until recently, few people knew that the country s first commercial well ( West No. 3) actually lies buried a few metres away on the grounds of the West Secondary School. View of Guapo Oilf ield, 1919 The wells - West No. 3 and 4 -are significant because together they served to launch the development of the energy sector which, today, continues to be the main contributor to the development of the community and the national economy as a whole. From Coconut to Crude Oil In the years that immediately followed Emancipation, Point Fortin was not immediately identified as a community with any potential beyond its contributions to the development of the cocoa and coconut industries. In fact, following Emancipation, most of the estates in Point Fortin were failing and the economy in the southlands was considered largely undeveloped with the exception of three major plantations in the area: Adventure, Clifton Hill and La Fortunée. These three estates were only partly cultivated, with the main crops being cocoa and coconut. La Fortunée, rising near to the mouth of the Guapo River, was bounded to the west and east by the sea and was considered the most cultivated of the three estates. One key discovery in this area during the 1870s hinted of events to come which would change the fortunes of the community forever. A visible deposit of asphalt was privately exploited by the firm Meston and Company and a small village, Mestonville, grew out of the effort to mine and export the asphalt. This village survived until the 1930s. By the 1870s, however, the conversation had started about the potential for the development of an oil industry in Trinidad, and so events occurring simultaneously in other parts of the country had a direct impact on activities in.
4 The story of West No. 3 5 The first discovery 1865 - San Fernando Following the report of the English geologists, American Captain Walter P. Darwent sourced and attracted capital to incorporate the Paria Petroleum Company in 1865. He began his exploration by drilling test holes in San Fernando near the base of the San Fernando Hill, an area also known for visible oil seeps. Despite his high hopes, Darwent s efforts proved fruitless. His first well was drilled to 150 feet. No oil was found. The second well was drilled to 160 ft. Oil was found, but in non-commercial qualities. This exercise was also abandoned. 1866 - Aripero Refusing to be daunted, Darwent moved to the Aripero Estate and drilled some four miles east of the Pitch Lake. This effort was successful! He struck oil. Unfortunately for Darwent, this well also failed to produce oil in marketable amounts. The Paria Petroleum Company collapsed and Darwent died heartbroken one year later. 1902 - Guayaguayare Oil had been found! After a hunter produced a sample of oil collected from a seep near Moruga, prospectors became convinced that a new industry could develop, and the search for oil in commercial quantities began in earnest. Following traces of oil oozing to the surface in South-Eastern Trinidad, prospector Randolph Thomas Hammond Rust, in partnership with Mr. John Lee Lum who owned properties in the area, braved hordes of mosquitoes and sandflies and the threat of malaria to begin drilling in the virgin forests of Guayaguayare. Oil was discovered after drilling for one month. Eight oil wells were drilled, but in a few short years as transportation from the field and other difficulties proved insurmountable, the first discovered oilfield in Trinidad was abandoned without ever making a commercial shipment. Geologist, Arthur Beeby-Thompson 1904 - All eyes on Guapo Things were really heating up! Government geologist, Cunningham Craig At the time, the USA and Russia were leading oil production, and the prospect of developing the industry in Trinidad proved attractive to many. In 1904, geologist Arthur Beeby-Thompson travelled to Trinidad and Tobago from England and, together with government geologist Cunningham Craig, discovered what they considered positive signs in the lands behind Guapo.
6 The story of West No. 3 7 The Year 1907 The Turning Point Without missing a beat, Beeby-Thompson, together with a group of British investors in 1907, incorporated the company Trinidad Oilfields Limited (TOL) in 1907 to develop the Point Ligoure/ / Guapo area. After all, if oil could be found in Guayaguayare, then it must be found near to the Pitch Lake! The first drilling rig was set up on the grounds of the La Fortunée estate in western, an area now known as Point Ligoure. With a huge wooden percussion manilla cable rig to effect drilling operations and a Mr. Allender in charge of operations, the exploration effort that would effectively place on the energy map began. Of course, success was not immediate. The first efforts to get drilling going were seriously hindered by an outbreak of malaria. There was also an outbreak of yellow fever on the island that caused concern. Group (possibly Governor of Trinidad) visiting the Guapo f ield of Trinidad Oilf ields ltd, ca 1910. There were also drilling setbacks. The first well was abandoned after drilling 150 feet. The second well encountered influxes of sticky viscous asphalt that clung to the drill-stem and tools with such tenacity that their removal became well-nigh impossible. This effort was also abandoned. Like Darwent some 40 years earlier, the third time proved to be the charm and the explorers struck oil with the well now known as West No. 3. West No. 3 - The first commercial well The discovery of oil at West No. 3 is today credited for launching production efforts in the Guapo field, one of the most prolific oil fields on land in Trinidad. It carries a huge title, however looking at the site today it might be difficult to imagine the explorers excitement when flowing oil was struck in a rich sand at 700 ft. According to historical records, however, it was quite the discovery in south Trinidad, perhaps one of the biggest events in the area at that time. The well was reportedly continued down to 1400 ft and attracted considerable interest in London and Trinidad with many visitors arriving to see gushing oil from the first commercially successful well in the island. Orders were at once placed for a second rig and another driller engaged. The well was completed and brought on production in September 1908. The second producing well- West No. 4 was completed shortly after. The Company called Trinidad Oilfields Ltd then acquired the La Fortunée, Clifton Hill and Adventure Estates in Point Fortin. Interestingly enough, however, the Company did not do anything about actually starting commercial producing operations in the area until 1910.
8 The Pride of Refining operations begin at Following the discovery of commercial crude in, the first small crude unit for the purpose of refining was established at the old Clifton Hill Estate by Beeby-Thompson and Trinidad Oilfields Limited during the period 1910-12. This was the beginning of the refinery, which was established a few short years before World War I (1914-1918) creating an immense demand for fuel, launching the energy boom in Trinidad and causing to grow exponentially. The refinery, which eventually became the second largest refinery on the island after Pointea-Pierre, also contributed significantly to development in Trinidad and Tobago. It was eventually closed in the 1990s to make way for Atlantic LNG. 1958 - The Pride of pumps its last After years of production, Well No. 3 ( West) was abandoned in 1958 after producing 2,324 barrels of oil. By that time, energy operations were well underway in with virgin forests and cultivated cocoa and coconut estates giving way to a new refinery, producing wells on land and the start of production operations offshore. 109 years later Today, Petrotrin manages the Guapo field. In 1913, Trinidad Oilfields Limited was taken over by United British Oilfields Limited, which later became Shell (Trinidad) Limited before its assets were acquired by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and incorporated into the Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company Limited (Trintoc) and later, (Petrotrin). Source: History of, Borough Corporation (http://pointfortinborough.com/home/history-of-point-fortin) Trinidad and Tobago, Celebrating a Century of Commercial Oil Production, First 2009 The Petroleum Encyclopedia of Trinidad and Tobago (1993 Edition) by Krishna Persad & Associates Ltd History of Trinidad Oil, George E Higgins 1996 Downtown in the late 1950s by Angelo Bissessarsingh
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