The Flickr Caveforkroad Image Generatr

Discovered in 1917, the 10,000 acre Big Sinking Oilfield was Kentucky's largest. Now mostly abandoned with some small producers still active. In its day Ashland Oil, Wiser Oil, Charmaine Oil, Bretagne Oil, Texas Gulf and Pennzoil had huge leases in this rugged area. Transitioned into a rock climbing and off roading paradise. The oil related communities of Fixer, Zoe, Zacharria, Big Bend, Torrent, Sandstone, Tin Town, Leeco and Coal Bank are reminders of what once was. Thousands of abandoned oil wells and oilfield accessories lie rusting in the woods.

Part of the Ashland Oil Company's waterflood project in the 10,000 acre Big Sinking Oilfield. The project began in the 1950's and ended when the lease shut down in the early 1990's. Located on the south side of Cave Fork Road. The Daniel Boone National Forest owns the surface rights to many acres in this area but not the mineral rights.

Abandoned oil tank on Cave Fork roadl