How are well name changes handled over time?

A well's reported name is not always permanent. Permit records reflect the operator's development plan at the time they are filed. As drilling plans evolve, well names may also change. For example, wells may be added to an existing pad, drilling sequences may be revised, or planned surface hole (SHL) and bottom hole (BHL) locations may be adjusted before drilling begins. 

On multi-well pads, well names may also change as development plans evolve. For example, if an infill well is drilled before a previously permitted well, the planned naming sequence (such as A, B, C, D, and E) may be reordered to reflect the updated drilling plan. 

As updated regulatory information becomes available throughout the lifecycle of the well, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name using the highest-priority applicable state-reported information.

How Well Names Are Updated

State agencies typically report information for a well in the following order:

 Permit
↓
Spud Notice / Sundry
↓
Completion Report
↓
Production
↓
Plug & Abandonment Notice 

Additional sundry filings and notices may occur throughout the life of the well and can update previously reported information. For example, if a well is converted to a different purpose, such as an injection well or saltwater disposal (SWD) well, the reported well name may also be updated to reflect the well's new function. 

Although permit records are typically received first, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name using the highest-priority applicable state-reported information. Production records are often the most current source because they are updated more frequently and provide the most current state-reported information available. As additional regulatory information becomes available throughout the life of the well, the displayed well name may be updated accordingly. 

In many cases, the well name never changes from the original permit. However, if a different well name is later reported in subsequent regulatory filings, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name to reflect the highest-priority applicable state-reported information. 

Using Stable Identifiers

Because well names are descriptive fields rather than permanent unique identifiers, WellDatabase recommends using a stable identifier when linking records to internal systems, reports, billing systems, exports, or third-party applications.

Well names should not be used as a primary identifier because they may:

• Change over the lifecycle of a well as updated permit, completion, and production records become available.

• Not a unique identifier. The same well name may be used for different wells across different geographic areas. 

• Represented differently by operators or regulatory agencies. For example, the same well may be reported as Rountree 8, Rountree #8, or Rountree No. 8 while referring to the same well. Differences in punctuation, abbreviations, spacing, and numbering conventions make text-based matching unreliable.

   

Recommended identifiers:

• WellDatabase Infinity ID (recommended for integrations, internal databases, and long-term record linking) 

• API Number (widely used throughout the industry and appropriate in most situations)

Although the API Number is commonly used as a unique identifier, some states allow duplicate API numbers. When maintaining relationships between WellDatabase records and other systems, the WellDatabase Infinity ID is the recommended identifier for uniquely referencing WellDatabase records. 

Key Takeaway

Well names are descriptive fields that may change throughout the lifecycle of a well. When integrating WellDatabase data or linking records to other systems, use a stable identifier such as the WellDatabase Infinity ID or API number whenever possible.

Related Articles

• What is Infinity ID?

• Why are there duplicate API numbers?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the well name change?
A: Well names may change as updated information is reported by state regulatory agencies. Permit records reflect the operator's development plan at the time they are filed, but those plans may evolve before or during the life of the well. As additional regulatory information becomes available, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name using the highest-priority applicable state-reported information. 

Q: Why doesn't the well name match the permit record?
A: Permit records are often the first records received for a well. As additional regulatory information becomes available throughout the life of the well, the reported well name may change. When a different well name is reported in a higher-priority applicable regulatory record, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name accordingly. 

Q: Should I use the well name as a unique identifier in my internal system?
A: No. Because well names may change over time, we recommend using the API Number or WellDatabase Infinity ID whenever possible. Stable identifiers help prevent duplicate records and maintain consistent links between WellDatabase and your internal systems.

Q: We use well names for billing or customer tracking. What do you recommend?
A: If your internal processes depend on identifying a specific well over time, we recommend using the API Number or WellDatabase Infinity ID instead of the well name.  Well names may change or be represented differently as updated regulatory information becomes available. Stable identifiers remain consistent throughout the life of the well.

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about a well name?
A: If you believe a well name is incorrect or have questions about a specific record, please contact WellDatabase Support. When possible, include the API Number or WellDatabase Infinity ID so we can quickly locate the correct well.

Q: Why would a permitted well name change before production?
A: Well names are based on the drilling plan at the time the permit is filed. As development plans evolve, operators may revise well names, drilling sequences, pad layouts, planned surface hole (SHL) and bottom hole (BHL) locations, or even the intended purpose of a well, such as converting it to an injection or saltwater disposal (SWD) well. When those changes are reported through regulatory filings, WellDatabase updates the displayed well name accordingly. 

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