The Historic Jay and Sunniland Oil Fields of Florida

Abstract

As of this writing there are only two oil-producing areas in Florida. One is in far southern Florida near the Everglades, and comprised of 14 separate fields, and the other is in the far western part of the state in the panhandle comprised of seven separate fields. The south Florida fields are located in Lee, Hendry, Collier, and Dade Counties. Florida’s first oil field is the Sunniland field located in Collier County and was discovered in 1943. It has produced over 18 million barrels of oil. Later, 13 more field discoveries were made and lie along a northwest-southeast trend through Lee, Hendry, Collier, and Dade Counties. Although the fields are relatively small, production is significant. Together, the three Felda fields (West Felda, Mid-Felda, and Sunoco Felda) in Hendry County have produced over 54 million barrels of oil (Fig. 1.1).