Frequently asked questions

What is Alberta Well Finder?

Alberta Well Finder helps users locate and get information about oil and gas wells and facilities in Alberta, Canada.

What data sources are used?

We use publicly available data from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). Data is updated regularly as it becomes available.

How accurate is the location data?

Most well locations use surveyed GPS coordinates from the AER, accurate to within 10 meters. Some older wells fall back to computed DLS centroids (±200m). Location quality is indicated on each well.

How often is the data updated?

Bulk data updates happen monthly as new information becomes available from the AER. Daily drilling activity reports are incorporated as they are released.

Who is this tool for?

Landowners, environmental consultants, real estate professionals, researchers, industry personnel, and anyone interested in oil and gas activity in Alberta.

Is this an official government tool?

No. Alberta Well Finder is an independent project, not affiliated with the Alberta government or AER. We use publicly available government data, processed and presented in a user-friendly format.

What areas does the tool cover?

The tool covers the province of Alberta, Canada. We do not currently provide data for other provinces or territories.

Is there a mobile app?

Currently, Alberta Well Finder is a web application accessible through any modern browser. The site is mobile-friendly, but a dedicated native app is not available.

What does "UWI" mean?

UWI stands for Unique Well Identifier—a standardized code used across Canada to uniquely identify each oil and gas well. See our glossary for more details.

What does "LSD" mean?

LSD stands for Legal Subdivision, part of the Dominion Land Survey (DLS) system used in Western Canada. An LSD represents a ~40-acre parcel (1/16 of a section), roughly 402m × 402m. See our glossary for more details.

Does the tool show real-time well status?

No. The tool reflects the latest data available in the public datasets we process. Status updates typically lag behind actual field operations.

Can I report data inaccuracies?

Yes. If you suspect an error, we recommend cross-referencing with the AER's official tools. You can also contact us with specific details, and we will investigate.

How do I search for a specific well or facility?

Use the search bar to look up wells or facilities by UWI, LSD, license number, or operator name. Advanced search options allow for more specific criteria.

Can I save searches or locations?

Yes. Registered users can save favourite locations and searches for easy access later.

What are "Favourites"?

Favourites let you save specific wells, facilities, or search queries for quick access later—helpful for tracking locations or areas of interest.

What do the different map symbols mean?

Different symbols represent various types of wells (circles: oil, gas, injection, abandoned) and facilities (triangles: batteries, gas plants). A map legend is available on the map.

Can I measure distances on the map?

Yes. The map interface includes tools for measuring distances and areas.

Is there a way to filter search results?

Yes. Results can be filtered by status, type, location, operator, and other parameters.

Can I export search results?

Data export (CSV/Excel) is available on specific subscription plans. See Plans & pricing for details.

Can I view historical data?

The tool focuses on current status. Some historical context is included (spud date, abandonment date, status history), but comprehensive historical analysis is not the primary focus.

Do I need an account to use the tool?

Basic search and map viewing are available without an account. Features like saving favourites, accessing advanced data, and exporting results require an account and potentially a subscription.

What are the subscription options?

We offer Lite, Pro, and Max tiers with varying levels of access to data, features, and usage limits. See Plans & pricing for details.

How do I upgrade or downgrade my subscription?

Manage your subscription from your Account settings page after logging in.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. We use Stripe to handle all billing. We do not store your credit card details on our servers.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Cancel anytime from your Account settings. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds depend on circumstances and subscription terms. See our Terms of Service or contact support for inquiries.

What browsers are supported?

Alberta Well Finder works best on modern browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Performance may vary on older browsers.

Is there an API available?

Yes. We offer an API for programmatic access to well and facility data on specific subscription plans. See API documentation for details.

Who do I contact for support?

For technical issues or questions not covered here, use our contact form.