From the Annals of Wildcatting – In 1928, Carl (the Big Swede) Cromwell completed drilling of the world’s then deepest oil well.  Cromwell had come to prominence in the oil world with the drilling of  the famed Santa Rita No. 1 on land owned by the University of Texas in Reagan County.  After that success, Cromwell was named the drilling superintendent of the Texon Company’s rapidly expanding field on UT’s land in Reagan County. Cromwell also obtained private leases and began his wildcat operations.  Along with company engineer Clayton W. Williams, Cromwell began to drill deeper than the typical 3,000 foot depth of the deepest wells. In 1926 Williams located a site and Cromwell’s crews began work.  By late November 1928,Cromwell was directed to cease operations because of mounting expenses.  True to his wildcat spirit, Cromwell ignored the order and kept drilling deeper. By December 4, the well had reached 8,525 feet and hit the  pay zone.  The well, named University 1-B, remained the world’s deepest oil well for 3 years.

Photo of University 1-B Well from the Briscoe Center for American History at UT-Austin.