Rough Range No. 1 Oil Well

Statement of Significance

The Rough Range No 1 Oil Well has historic heritage significance. When the first significant oil in Western Australia flowed from the Rough Range No 1 Well in 1953 it caused unprecedented activity on the Australian Share Market. Although the early finds were not successful in the long term, Ampol persisted with exploration, and were rewarded with a major discovery on Barrow Island in 1964.

Physical Description

There is little visible evidence of Rough Range No 1 Oil Well as the mobile rig used in the operation was removed from the site when the well was capped off at the completion of drilling.

History

The Rough Range Oil Well was established owing to the persistence of Bill Walkley (later Sir William Walkley). Walkley was a founding Managing Director of Ampol Petroleum Ltd. Aerial Surveying in 1947 over Rough Range encouraged his belief that there was oil to be found in Australia. Six years later, in 1953, Ampol raised the money to begin drilling at a site in Rough Range located on the southern tip of Exmouth Gulf. They did this under the name West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (WAPET). WAPET used the Learmonth RAAF base for bringing in personnel and some supplies but built a jetty for heavier equipment. In November 1953 oil flowed at the Rough Range No 1 well, sending Ampol shares and the hopes of WA soaring. However, the oil proved of insufficient commercial value. Despite other drilling sites in Rough Range and Cape Range failing to produce commercial quantities of oil, Ampol remained hopeful of further strikes. Hopes were fulfilled when significant oil was discovered on Barrow Island in 1964.

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Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.