Chuhuangkeng Oilfield

Located in Kaikuang Village, Gongguan Township, it is the birthplace of Taiwan's petroleum industry. The earliest discovery of oil in Taiwan was in 1813 (the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty). The site of "Chuhuangkeng Well No. 1," located approximately 80 meters to the front right of the Chuhuangkeng field's main entrance, was the first well drilled by the Japanese. Due to the abundant oil reserves in Chuhuangkeng, the Japanese drilled a total of 99 wells. The place name "Chuhuangkeng" (meaning "sulfur emerging pit") originated because locals initially discovered a sulfur-colored liquid emerging from underground in this area. They did not know this was crude oil, believing it to be sulfur, and thus named it "Chuhuangkeng." Chuhuangkeng is Taiwan's earliest and most important oil mining site. Geologically, it is an anticline structure, with its central part being the highest and its two limbs sloping outwards. Oil and gas are trapped within this anticline structure and extracted via oil wells. The two limbs of the Chuhuangkeng anticline structure are composed of alternating layers of sandstone and shale of varying hardness. The research on the geology, strata, and paleontology here also makes it a typical area in Taiwan, making it a must-visit place for geology students! CPC Corporation also marked the geological rock layers of the Houlong River Valley in the southern part of this township along the roadside, making it an excellent location for outdoor geological education. At night, the Chuhuangkeng Oilfield is brilliantly lit, with dazzling lights. With a farm to its left, the scenery is exceptionally beautiful, earning it the nickname "Night Hong Kong."