What is the difference between Aliased and Reported values?

Several fields in WellDatabase have a Reported and Aliased option. The simple explanation is that reported values appear exactly as the state regulatory agency has reported it and the aliased values are our cleansed & normalized values.

Reported

The reported values can have typos, inconsistencies, and more. They also contain valuable insights into the exact data as reported, especially when an operator uses multiple companies for its operations in different areas. In addition to those types of insights, WellDatabase is dedicated to maintaining integrity in our dataset. We always want you to be able to trace our data back to the source. Also, by providing analytics by both reported and aliased, we provide transparency on how we do our aliasing.

Aliased

The aliased value is the value we have cleaned and normalized. This value is consistent across our entire database and helps you identify properties when various states handle them differently. This is a necessity for doing large scale analytics.

Operator Aliasing and Parent Companies

It is important to note that in regard to operators, the aliased value is not a roll-up of subsidiaries. This means that when a company is acquired by another, we do not change the operator to the new company name. That is unless the company files a change of operator form to update the company to the new name. To give you greater visibility into ownership structures and changes over time, we’ve introduced the Parent Company field as an additional resource to show M&A activity.

Aliasing Methodologies

To determine the aliased values for data points like well status, well type, and primary formation, our team follows a defined methodology designed to ensure consistency and accuracy. Explore the links below to further understand how each of these values is aliased within our system.

Here is a list of fields that we provide both Reported and Aliased values:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do some fields have both Reported and Aliased values?
A: Reported values preserve the original information provided by the regulatory agency. Aliased values provide a standardized version that can be used more consistently across multiple states and jurisdictions.

Q: Does WellDatabase replace the original reported value?
A: No. WellDatabase maintains both the original reported value and the aliased value when available, allowing users to choose the option that best fits their workflow.

Q: What is the difference between an aliased operator and a parent company?
A: An aliased operator is a standardized version of the operator name reported by the regulatory agency. A parent company represents the larger company that owns one or more operating entities, often as the result of mergers, acquisitions, or corporate restructuring. Parent company relationships are maintained separately from operator aliasing and may include multiple reported or aliased operators under a single parent company. For additional information, see: What is Parent Company?

Q: Which value should I use for analysis?
A: It depends on your workflow and reporting needs. Some users prefer aliased values because they provide more consistency across states and regulatory agencies. Others prefer reported values because they reflect the exact information provided by the regulatory agency. Both options are available throughout the platform, allowing you to choose the approach that best fits your analysis.

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