API Numbers, why don't the operators use them more?

So true in TX! And confusing if you don’t stay on top of it. Good to do an annual check of all of your wells.

OK is a bit more stable as most wells report from the meter at the wellhead and stay the same. They keep their API unless they drill a sidetrack and then they will add four more digits onto the end such as 0001 or 0002 for a second sidetrack. Occasionally, the PUN number will change with a gathering of several wells into one meter, so keep that number in your spreadsheet as well. Also good to have a column for your owner ID and a column for your property ID listed on the statement. Those can change over time as operators change. The property ID is how many of the owners identify a well for internal accounting purposes. I have several operators that have multiple owner IDs for me. They have bought other acreage and each set of purchases gave me a new ID. Lots to keep track of!