Needham 1 (037-12979)

Needham 1 (later unofficially named Gate King 1 when the property became owned by Gate King) was drilled by the Southern California Drilling Company in July - October of 1929. It was a prospect well. The total depth was 1952 feet. Although the initial production is not reported, thirty days after completion, the well was producing 200 barrels of 19.5 gravity oil per day. By 1933, production was down to 10 barrels per day. By 1980, the well was being used for waste water disposal. (Photo date 11/17/2017)

Another view. (8/28/2017)

New bolts for the cap on the wellhead. Also, a longer side pipe has been added. (12/16/2017)

This well was in the burn area of the Victor Fire in July of 2023. (8/5/2023)

Well site has now been graded in preparation of the abandonment process. (1/27/2026)

Closer view of wellhead. (2/14/2026)

Rig on the well. (2/20/2026)

Closer view of wellhead with BOPE (blowout prevention equiption). (2/21/2026)

Pipes on left have been pulled from the well. (2/28/2026)

Another view of wellhead with BOPE and smaller diameter casing that was pulled from the well shaft. (2/28/2028)

Done with this well for now. Rig gone. More work needed. (3/15/2026)

Rig returned to well. I don't know why it was removed before finishing what it need to do. (3/19/2026)

A closer view of rig at the well. I think that the truck carries away the oil that was still in the well. That oil is pumped out of the well and into the truck tank. Then, depending on its condition, it can either be taken somewhere to be refined or taken to an oil waste deposit location. (3/22/2026)

Another view at the wellhead. I believe the small diameter pipes on the left are sucker rods, not pipes. They were used to control the pumping of the well. (3/22/2026)

Still another view from different angle. (3/22/2026)

The rig is gone and the well has been abandoned. I could not take any photos of the last abandonment steps. (3/29/2026)

A little further away view of the well site. (4/14/2026)