Needham 2 (037-12980)

Needham 2 (later unofficially named Gate King 3-2 when the property became owned by Gate King) was drilled by the Southern California Drilling Company in November - December of 1929. The final depth was 1505 feet. Thirty days after completion, the well was producing 150 barrels of 22.3 gravity oil per day. At some point in time, production was stopped and the well went idle. This well was behind a fence covered with bushes when I first saw it. (Photo date 9/4/2017)

A view of well through the fence. (9/4/2017)

The wellhead has now been exposed. The bushes were cut down and the fence was taken down. Some of the hardware has been removed from the top. New bolts and probably some side pipes with one valve have been added to the wellhead. (12/10/2017)

A well number has also been loosely attached. (12/16/2017)

Another view. (5/26/2018)

The Victor Fire in July of 2023 burned around this well. (8/5/2023)

Grading around the wellhead for the upcoming abandonment of the well. (1/24/2026)

This is the graded site. The concrete box in the distance is an engine base. (1/24/2026)

After a month, no work has been done on this well yet. The contractor has been working on the other wells. (2/28/2026)

Work has already started. I missed seeing the rig over the well. The casing has been pulled. (3/7/2026)

Closer view of wellhead. (3/7/2026)

After a week, the existing casing was cut off about 5 feet below the surface and the cement work is done. (3/14/2026)

(3/14/2026)

The well hole has been filled but there is still a lot of stuff on the ground that needs to be removed including the broken up cement of the engine base. (3/15/2026)

(3/22/2026)

The cement is gone. (3/22/2026)

The well site has been "restored". The contractors are done. The road up to the site is on the left. (4/18/2026)