Well Research Checklist

How to Use This Checklist

Work through each phase in order. Every phase builds on the one before it, so skipping ahead means you may miss context that changes your assessment. Print this page, copy the steps into a spreadsheet, or keep it open alongside your research tools. The entire checklist typically takes 15–30 minutes per well once you are familiar with the process.

For a broader research workflow that covers multiple operators and opportunities, see the opportunity research checklist. For a structured way to document your findings, use the research summary template.

Phase 1: Basic Identification

• □ Record the well licence number (UWI or licence ID)
• □ Confirm the well name and well type (oil, gas, injection, disposal)
• □ Note the surface location: field centre, township, range, meridian
• □ Identify the formation or zone the well targets
• □ Record the total depth and measured depth
• □ Note the spud date and completion date

Phase 2: Status and Classification

• □ Determine the current well status: active, inactive, suspended, or abandoned
• □ Check the status effective date to understand how long the well has been in its current state
• □ Note the well classification: oil, gas, oil & gas, injection, disposal, or other
• □ Identify any regulatory flags or conditions attached to the well
• □ Check if the well is part of a multi-well pad or a standalone location
• □ Record the pool or field name associated with the well

Phase 3: Operator Research

• □ Identify the current operator by name and licence number
• □ Determine the operator type: large E&P, mid-size, junior, or private
• □ Check the operator's total well portfolio to gauge overall size
• □ Calculate the operator's active-to-inactive well ratio
• □ Note other basins or regions where the operator holds wells
• □ Identify any recent operator changes or licence transfers
• □ Use the operator comparison matrix to score the operator against others in your pipeline

Phase 4: Production History

• □ Pull the most recent production data for the well (monthly oil, gas, water volumes)
• □ Determine if production is increasing, stable, or declining
• □ Check for production gaps or periods of zero output that may indicate shut-in status
• □ Note the well's cumulative production to assess reservoir maturity
• □ Compare production against offset wells in the same pool or formation
• □ Identify any artificial lift systems or equipment noted in production records

Phase 5: Nearby Activity

• □ Map wells within a 5 km radius of the target well
• □ Count active vs. inactive wells in the surrounding area
• □ Identify other operators active in the same field or pool
• □ Check for recent spuds or status changes within the radius
• □ Note any new drilling programs or development plans that may affect the area
• □ Identify nearby infrastructure: pipelines, processing facilities, road access

Phase 6: Outreach Preparation

• □ Confirm the operator's contact information through official channels
• □ Identify the likely decision-maker for your service type (field manager, procurement, owner)
• □ Prepare a 2–3 sentence summary of why this well or operator is relevant to your business
• □ List the specific questions you need answered before proposing a service
• □ Note any warm referral paths: industry contacts, trade associations, mutual connections
• □ Set a follow-up date if you are not ready to reach out immediately
• □ Review the account qualification framework to score the operator before outreach

Example: Completed Checklist Entry

Here is how a completed checklist entry might look for a single well:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping production data: A well can look active on paper but have zero production for months. Always check production history to confirm the well is actually producing.
• Ignoring nearby activity: A single well in an area with no other activity tells a different story than a well surrounded by 20 active neighbours. Context from nearby wells shapes your outreach strategy.
• Using outdated operator info: Operator changes and licence transfers happen. Verify the current operator before reaching out to avoid contacting the wrong company.
• Researching without a plan: Know what you need the research for before you start. A checklist for a frac service opportunity looks different from one for an environmental assessment. Focus your research on your business purpose.
• Not recording sources: Always note where each piece of data came from. When you revisit the well in three months, you will need to know which records to check for updates.

Researching a Well Through Its Lifecycle

A well passes through drilling, completion, production, and eventually abandonment or reclamation. Your research should match the phase. For a recently spudded well, focus on Phase 4 (production history) lightly and Phase 3 (operator) heavily — the operator's completion program is the immediate opportunity. For an old inactive well, focus on status, abandonment eligibility, and reclamation signals. The well status interpretation guide maps each status to its service implications so you can target the right phase.

Signals That Indicate Service Demand

Beyond status, several signals point to near-term work. A status change from inactive to active suggests a reactivation program. A cluster of new licences in one field centre suggests a pad development. Declining production on an active well suggests a workover or artificial lift upgrade. Frac hits and stress shadow between parent and child wells on the same pad suggest remediation or recompletion. Record these signals in Phase 6 so your outreach references specifics, not generalities.

Connecting Well Research to Account Qualification

One well rarely makes an account. After researching individual wells, roll the findings up to the operator using the account qualification framework. Count wells by status, assess the operator's active ratio, and score service fit. A single attractive well inside a large inactive portfolio may not justify pursuit; a pattern of active, recently drilled wells does. Use the operator comparison matrix to compare the operator against others in your pipeline.

Data Sources for Each Phase

FracturingHub consolidates AER ST37 data into searchable well profiles, operator views, and map visualizations. This makes the identification, status, operator, and nearby activity phases faster than working through raw data files. See features and pricing for details.

For more checklists and templates, visit the resources page.