Help for Company Data Search

This help section covers items in the Company search drop-down menu and the table of search results. If JavaScript is enabled on your computer, many of the search criteria also have their own drop-down list so you don’t have to type in words.

All default records returned in this search are active companies unless you modify the status code during your search.

City – The city listed on the company's Organizational Report filed with DEC.

Company Name – Spelling, as well as punctuation and correct word spacing, are very important to getting back the full search results you're looking for. Unless you are certain of the exact spelling as it occurs in our database, we strongly recommend that you use the “like” option for your initial company searches. Examples of problems that can limit results:

• Search for “&“ will not turn up entries for “and“ and vice versa. Some form of “and“ is found in over 250 company names.
• Multiple forms of common terms such as: NY, NY State, NYS, New York State.
• Staff may have abbreviated terms in some older database entries due to space restrictions (examples ‑ Amer. for America or American, Ins. for Insurance, No. for North).

Driller – Drillers registered with DEC are authorized to drill wells for others. To find drilling companies, select “Yes” from the drop-down list or type “Yes” in the blank.

Financial Security Provider – DEC requires financial security (FS) to guarantee a well is properly plugged and the well site reclaimed (pre‑law wells exempt). FS companies do not have to be registered with DEC. However, we maintain a list to help industry find this service. More than one branch office of a company may offer FS, so a specific address is not always listed. To find organizations providing financial security, select “Yes” from the drop-down list or type “Yes” in the blank

Postal Zip Code – You can search on all or a portion of the basic 5‑digit zip code using the "like" or "equals" methods. The results will also show the 4‑digit Zip2 extension if it is in the database. However, you cannot search on the Zip2.

Operator – A company that produces oil and gas or operates other types of wells (geothermal, stratigraphic, brine disposal) are registered with DEC as operators. To find operating companies, select “Yes” from the drop-down list or type “Yes” in the blank

Plugger – Pluggers registered with DEC are authorized to plug and abandon wells for others. To find plugging companies, select “Yes” from the drop-down list or type “Yes” in the blank

State – Over 200 companies are based in other states. Use the two‑letter postal code for this search.

Status – The company status choices are “Active”, “Inactive” or “Both Active and Inactive.” Since most users don't need the 1,500+ inactive companies, the search results will only include active companies unless the user specifies other status codes.