Reynolds, First Oil Driller in Iran

It was due to Reynolds' relentless efforts and stubbornness that D'Arcy managed to extract oil in Iran. Reynolds travelled to Iran after the D'Arcy concession was signed. He started his work in Chia Sorkh area in western Iran, but he moved his drilling equipment to Masjid Soleyman as the Chia Sorkh oil output was not commercial. D'Arcy was disappointed with finding oil in Iran, but Reynolds was hopeful.

More than five years of drilling had failed to give any indication of oil. Reynolds was ordered to halt drilling and return to Britain. He refused to do so and continued drilling until his efforts bore fruit a few days later and what is known today as Well No. 1 started producing oil

Managers of Anglo-Persian Oil Company had amassed wealth from oil thanks to Reynolds' perseverance, but he was expelled after some time. He left Iran for London and finally moved to Venezuela and started drilling oil wells.