Arkansas Well Permit Search: Find Drilling Reports, Well Records & Official Databases
Looking for a water well drilled on your property, a contractor’s drilling records, or an Arkansas oil and gas well permit? Start with the correct state database. Arkansas maintains different systems for water well construction reports, groundwater information, and oil and gas drilling permits.
Important distinction: A water well construction report is not necessarily an individual drilling permit or proof of regulatory approval. Arkansas also requires permits for certain drilling rigs, while oil and gas wells are regulated under a separate system. Identify the well type before searching.
Quick Answer: Where Can I Search Arkansas Well Records?
For domestic, agricultural, and other water wells, begin with the Arkansas Waterwell advanced search. It supports searching by county, city, landowner, well ID, contractor, driller, and completion date. You can also use the Arkansas Geological Survey water well reports database.
For an oil or natural gas well, use the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Well Data Explorer, which accepts permit/API numbers, counties, well names, operators, and fields.
1. Official Arkansas Well Search Databases
There is no single search that covers every type of underground well in Arkansas. The best starting point depends on whether you need a water well construction record, geological log, contractor information, or oil and gas permit history.
Arkansas Waterwell Search
This state and USGS-associated system includes searches for well information and the people or companies involved in drilling and pump installation.
Best for: Landowner, contractor, driller, well ID, county, city, and completion-date searches.
Open official advanced search ↗Arkansas Geological Survey
The state’s geological information system provides a searchable collection of water well reports and related construction measurements.
Best for: Completion reports, depth, yield, water-level information, and section/township/range research.
Search official reports ↗Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission
The commission’s searchable records cover regulated oil and gas wells, including identifying information and available operational history.
Best for: Permit/API numbers, well names, operators, drilling locations, inspections, and production-related records.
Open Oil & Gas Explorer ↗Arkansas Natural Resources Division
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division is a key contact for water well construction oversight and groundwater management questions.
Best for: Regulatory guidance, licensing questions, construction standards, and agency assistance.
Visit Natural Resources Division ↗| Your question | Recommended source | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Was a water well drilled on this property? | Arkansas Waterwell / Geological Survey | Well location, owner, construction date, report |
| How deep is an existing well? | Geological Survey well report | Total depth and construction details |
| Who drilled a particular water well? | Arkansas Waterwell records | Driller and contractor information |
| What drilling authorization applies? | Natural Resources Division / Arkansas rules | Contractor licensing, rig permits, construction rules |
| Where is an oil or gas permit? | Oil and Gas Commission | Permit/API number, operator, well status |
2. How to Search Arkansas Water Well Records
The Arkansas Waterwell system is a practical starting point when you do not already know a report number. Its advanced search interface includes multiple ways to locate a well, making it especially useful for property owners, buyers, and contractors.
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Open the Waterwell advanced search
Visit the official Arkansas Waterwell search page. This is an external government-associated database, not a search form operated by CountyPermitSearch.org.
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Start with the most reliable identifier
If you have a Measurement Point/Well ID, use that first. Otherwise, select the county and enter any known landowner, contractor, driller, installer, or city information. The search system accepts partial names in relevant fields.
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Refine your search
Use the completion-date range or well-use field when available. A broad county search may produce several possible matches, especially when owners have similar names or multiple wells exist on agricultural land.
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Inspect the results
The result table identifies fields including Well ID, date completed, landowner, county, and well depth. Open the additional data option for a likely match and compare it against your property information.
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Cross-check the location and report
Use the Geological Survey search to examine relevant water well construction reports. Compare the county, section, township, range, date, and other identifying information rather than relying on a name alone.
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Save the evidence and resolve discrepancies
Keep the well ID, report, search criteria, and any available export for your property file. If a record appears to describe the wrong parcel, contact the state agency before treating it as proof of an existing well.
Information to collect before searching
- County and nearest city or community
- Current and previous landowner names
- Approximate well construction year
- Contractor or drilling company name
- Well ID or older report number, if known
- Section, township, and range from land records
- Property survey, legal description, or coordinates
- Copies of previous well service records or invoices
Searching the Geological Survey database
The Water Well Reports Search provides selectable search criteria and an optional second criterion. It also offers a “Contains” option for partial matches.
Its displayed record fields include county, section, township-range, completion date, stamp information, total depth, static water level, yield, and a downloadable report where available. This is often more useful for technical well research than a general property search.
Search tip: If an exact name produces no match, try a shorter name, another owner, or a location-based search. Old reports may have been filed under a former property owner or with abbreviated names.
3. What Information Is in an Arkansas Well Record?
A water well construction report documents information recorded during construction. It is useful for identifying well characteristics and researching groundwater conditions, but it should not be treated as a current inspection certificate or a drinking-water safety test.
| Record field | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Well ID | Database identifier for the well record | Helps retrieve and reference the correct entry |
| Completion date | Reported construction completion date | Helps determine the well’s reported age |
| County / location | Geographic location information | Helps distinguish similar records |
| Total depth | Reported depth of the completed well | Useful for pump service and hydrogeologic evaluation |
| Static water level | Recorded water level under measurement conditions | Provides a historical groundwater reference |
| Yield | Reported water production rate | Can help assess historical well performance |
| Construction report | Filed documentation of well construction | May include details beyond the database summary |
| Contractor or driller | Person or business associated with construction, if recorded | Supports contractor history and follow-up questions |
Does a record establish that the well is usable today?
No. A completion report may show that a well was constructed at a particular location, but equipment can deteriorate, pumps may be replaced, water levels can change, and a well may subsequently be abandoned.
For a property transaction, consider obtaining a current well inspection, pump performance assessment, and appropriate water-quality testing from qualified professionals.
Does a well report prove drinking water is safe?
No. Depth, construction information, and historical yield do not establish that water is safe to drink. Chemical and microbiological testing is a separate issue. Private-well owners should seek appropriate testing guidance from qualified laboratories and public-health authorities.
Why might two records show different information?
Differences may reflect data-entry errors, separate wells, older location systems, changes after construction, or reports created at different stages of work. A property may also have a replacement well while the older record remains in the database.
4. Arkansas Water Well Drilling Permits and Construction Rules
Arkansas regulates water well construction primarily through its state water well construction framework. The rules address contractor qualifications, drilling equipment, well construction, reporting, and abandonment.
The official Arkansas Water Well Construction Rules, 17 CAR Part 11, are the appropriate starting point for reviewing applicable requirements.
Water well contractor licenses
Under 17 CAR § 11-306, a person contracting for or engaging in water well construction or pump installation must hold, or work for someone holding, the appropriate Arkansas Water Well Contractor License.
Different license categories address drilling, pump systems, or combined drilling and pump work. The qualifications must match the work being performed.
Drilling rig permits
Under 17 CAR § 11-801, a water well contractor operating a drilling rig must comply with the state’s rig permitting requirements.
Each contractor-owned and operated rig requires a separate permit for each permit year. Rig permits are not transferable, and the permit must be conspicuously attached to the relevant rig.
Do not confuse these documents: A contractor license establishes an applicable professional authorization. A rig permit relates to the drilling equipment. A construction report describes work performed on a particular well. These are not interchangeable records.
Construction standards
The Arkansas rules cover drilling and construction practices that protect groundwater and reduce contamination risks. Requirements can depend on formation conditions and the well’s intended use.
For example, 17 CAR § 11-505 addresses casing materials and installation practices. It includes provisions intended to prevent contamination and maintain the integrity of the well.
Well owners should have a qualified contractor evaluate which construction provisions apply. Rules for a domestic supply well may differ from requirements for monitoring wells or other specialized installations.
Construction report filing
Arkansas’s published water well construction rules have required constructors to submit construction reports after well construction or repair. The 2020 state-published rules specify a 90-day reporting period for such work and a separate 30-day reporting provision for certain test holes.
Because reporting requirements can be amended, confirm the applicable current provision with the Natural Resources Division before relying on a historical deadline.
Do homeowners need a separate permit for every domestic well?
Do not assume that every private water well follows the same individual permit process as an oil or gas drilling operation. Arkansas uses contractor licensing, rig permitting, and construction reporting as important regulatory mechanisms. Additional approvals may depend on the location, groundwater use, and other applicable state or local requirements.
Before hiring a contractor, ask the Natural Resources Division and the relevant local jurisdiction which permissions, notifications, or registrations apply to the proposed well.
5. How to Verify an Arkansas Well Drilling Contractor
Checking a drilling company’s qualifications before construction can prevent problems that are difficult to correct after the well has been completed.
Arkansas recognizes different types of water well contractor work. A company qualified for pump installation may not necessarily hold the appropriate authorization for excavating a new well.
Contractor verification checklist
Ask for these details before work begins
- The contractor’s full registered business name
- Current Arkansas water well contractor license information
- Whether the license covers drilling, pump work, or both
- The identity and qualifications of the responsible driller
- Applicable rig permit information
- A written estimate explaining the proposed work
- Plans for casing, sealing, and sanitary well construction
- Who will prepare and file the construction report
- Whether you will receive a copy of the completed report
Contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Division to confirm the appropriate current licensing verification method.
What if the drilling contractor’s name does not appear in your search?
Search both the business name and the individual driller’s name. Older construction records may refer to a previous business name or a particular worker rather than the company currently servicing the well.
For current qualifications, do not rely only on an old construction report. Request confirmation through the state licensing authority.
6. Arkansas Well Records by County and Property Location
County information is useful for narrowing water well records, but it is not always sufficient to identify a particular well. Rural properties may not have an easy-to-match street address, and a farm can contain multiple wells.
For more accurate searches, combine county information with landowner history, section, township, range, or verified coordinates.
Examples of county-based searches
| Location | Suggested search | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | County and landowner | Former owner or well ID |
| Benton County | County and completion year | Survey or township-range |
| Washington County | County and contractor | Rural property description |
| Craighead County | County and well use | Agricultural or other use information |
| Lonoke County | County and completion date | Farm location and previous ownership |
| Jefferson County | County and landowner | Legal land description |
| Faulkner County | County and city | Driller or well depth |
| Garland County | County and well location | Previous property records |
These are examples of search strategies, not confirmation that a particular property has a well or that records are available for every location.
How township, range, and section help
Arkansas land descriptions may use the Public Land Survey System. A well construction report can identify a general location by township, range, and section instead of using a modern postal address.
If you have a survey or deed, compare its legal description with the well report. When several wells appear within the same section, ask the agency for assistance determining which report corresponds to the property.
Does the county clerk issue well drilling permits?
Not necessarily. County offices may have relevant property, deed, land-use, or construction information, but Arkansas water well construction oversight is primarily a state-level matter. A local office should not be assumed to maintain the state’s official drilling records.
Local planning or environmental requirements may still apply depending on the project. Verify these independently of the statewide construction report.
What if you are buying rural property?
Ask the seller for the construction report, water-quality test results, pump service history, and information about any unused or abandoned wells. Compare those documents with state records and any available survey.
A missing database entry does not prove that no well exists. Likewise, an old report does not establish that a well is still operational.
7. Arkansas Oil and Gas Well Permit Search
Oil and gas wells are different from domestic and agricultural water wells. Their drilling authorizations and operating records are handled through the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.
Use the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission Well Data Explorer when researching oil or natural gas wells.
How to search the Oil and Gas Commission database
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Open the official Well Data Explorer
Select the wells and leases search page maintained by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.
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Choose a search field
The interface supports Permit/API, Field, County, Well Name, and Operator search criteria.
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Enter a known identifier
Use a permit or API number when available. Otherwise, enter part of the well name, operator, or county information.
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Select the matching well
Review the returned records and confirm the well’s identity before opening its detailed information.
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Review available record tabs
The explorer describes access to location, history, perforations, stimulations, production, IMIT, and inspection information.
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Export or request additional records
The portal provides Excel export functionality for reports. If you need a document not visible in the database, contact the commission about the appropriate records request.
What is an API well number?
An API number is an identifying number used in oil and gas well records. It helps distinguish a particular well from others that may have similar names or belong to the same operator.
An API well number is not the same as the measurement-point or water well ID used by the Arkansas Waterwell database.
What about geological well logs?
The Arkansas Geological Survey also maintains a Well Logs Search with fields such as permit number, API number, company, well name, well status, county, and total depth.
Those geological and oil/gas-related logs serve a different purpose from domestic water well construction reports. Choose the collection that matches your research question.
Practical example: If you are researching a private well supplying a house in Benton County, begin with Arkansas Waterwell. If you have an oil well API number and need the well’s operator or production history, begin with the Oil and Gas Commission.
8. What to Do When an Arkansas Well Record Is Missing
A search returning no results can mean that the record is not indexed under your chosen criteria. It does not conclusively establish that a well was never drilled.
Search the previous landowner’s name
Construction records may identify whoever owned the land when drilling occurred. If the property changed ownership, the current owner’s name may not produce a match.
Use location identifiers instead of a street address
Try county, section, township, and range. This approach may be more useful for older rural records and locations without conventional street addresses.
Ask the original drilling company
If the drilling business is still operating, ask whether it has historical project records and whether a construction report was filed with the state.
Check related property documents
Surveys, purchase agreements, seller disclosures, farm records, historical photographs, and old invoices may reveal a well’s location or the company that performed the work.
Contact the Arkansas Geological Survey
The Office of the State Geologist maintains historical geological and water well information. Ask whether a report can be located using the property’s legal description or another identifying detail.
Request help from the Natural Resources Division
If you know an approximate drilling date or contractor but cannot locate the report online, contact the division and ask about records filed under the state water well construction program.
If you discover an abandoned well: Do not assume it is safe to uncover, enter, or fill yourself. Unused wells can create physical and groundwater-contamination hazards. Arkansas’s water well rules address proper abandonment, and a qualified contractor should determine the appropriate procedure.
How to request a missing record effectively
When contacting an agency, provide the county, landowner names, approximate construction year, well type, legal description, and any known contractor information. Explain whether you need a construction report, drilling authorization, license verification, or another specific record.
A focused request is more useful than asking an agency to find every document associated with a broad property address.
9. Arkansas State Offices and Assistance
Different state offices provide assistance for different parts of a well search. Contact the office responsible for your specific record instead of assuming all wells are handled by one department.
Natural Resources Division
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
State government directory listing: 10421 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205.
Directory telephone: 501-682-3900.
Ask about: Water well construction requirements, contractor qualifications, rig permits, and filing questions.
View state directory listing ↗Office of the State Geologist
Maintains geological datasets and historical information, including water well reports and other subsurface records.
Public information email: osg@arkansas.gov
Ask about: Locating geological records, historic well reports, and interpreting database identifiers.
Visit official Geological Survey site ↗Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission
5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118.
Phone: 501-683-5814
Ask about: Oil and gas permit searches, operator records, and regulatory drilling information.
Open official data explorer ↗Code of Arkansas Rules
The official searchable rule database provides Arkansas’s codified regulatory requirements, including water well construction provisions.
Ask about: Exact rule language and applicable licensing, construction, and equipment requirements.
Read official Arkansas rules ↗Office visits and location information
The addresses above come from official agency listings. Because state offices may relocate or use different mailing and visitor locations, confirm the current address and whether an in-person visit is appropriate before traveling.
Most initial research can be performed using the linked public databases. A physical visit may be unnecessary if the required record is available online.
10. Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Well Permits
1. How do I search for a water well permit in Arkansas?
Start with the Arkansas Waterwell advanced search or the Geological Survey Water Well Reports Search. Search by well ID, county, landowner, contractor, or location. Remember that a construction report is not necessarily a separate well permit.
2. Can I search Arkansas well records by county?
Yes. Arkansas’s water well databases provide county-based search options. Add other information, such as completion date or landowner, to narrow the results.
3. Are Arkansas well drilling records public?
Many well construction and geological records are publicly accessible through state databases. Availability varies by record type, age, and whether the information has been indexed online. Some records may require direct agency assistance.
4. Does Arkansas require a permit to drill a private water well?
Arkansas regulates water well construction through contractor licensing, drilling rig permits, and construction standards. Do not assume every domestic well requires the same separate site-specific permit. Confirm the requirements for the particular project with the Arkansas Natural Resources Division and applicable local authorities.
5. How can I find the depth of my Arkansas well?
Locate the well construction report in the Arkansas Waterwell or Geological Survey system. A matching record may identify the reported total depth. If the report is unavailable, a qualified well professional may need to assess the well directly.
6. How do I verify an Arkansas water well drilling contractor?
Request the contractor’s full business name and licensing details, then contact the Arkansas Natural Resources Division to confirm the appropriate current authorization and work category.
7. What should I do if I cannot find an old well report?
Try previous owners, alternate spellings, county information, completion dates, and township-range identifiers. If the record remains missing, ask the Geological Survey or Natural Resources Division for assistance.
8. Where can I search Arkansas oil and gas drilling permits?
Use the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission’s Well Data Explorer. It supports searches by permit/API number, county, field, well name, and operator.
9. Does an Arkansas well completion record prove the water is safe?
No. A construction record documents reported well characteristics, not present drinking-water safety. Appropriate water testing and inspection are needed to evaluate current conditions.
10. Who handles abandoned water wells in Arkansas?
The state’s water well construction rules cover proper abandonment. Contact the Natural Resources Division and a properly qualified contractor for applicable requirements and safe closure procedures. Do not attempt to seal an unfamiliar well without professional guidance.
11. Official Sources and Regulatory References
The following primary sources allow readers to check record availability, search features, and applicable regulatory language. Database content and agency procedures may change.
Arkansas Waterwell — USGS-associated system
Advanced search for water well information, landowners, contractors, drillers, installers, locations, and completion dates.
Official Arkansas Waterwell search ↗Arkansas Geological Survey — Water Well Reports
Searchable construction reports with geographic, completion, depth, water-level, and yield information.
Official Water Well Reports Search ↗Arkansas Natural Resources Division
State agency information concerning groundwater management and water well construction oversight.
Natural Resources Division ↗Arkansas Water Well Construction Rules
Codified state rules addressing water well construction, contractor licenses, rig permits, and related requirements.
Arkansas Code of Rules — Part 11 ↗Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission
Official searchable well data for regulated oil and gas operations, including permits, well identifiers, and supporting information.
Oil and Gas Commission Well Data Explorer ↗Arkansas Geological Survey — Well Logs
Geological log search for wells with available permit, API, operator, depth, and related information.
Geological Well Logs Search ↗12. What to Do Next
If you are checking an existing private water well, search the Arkansas Waterwell database using the county, owner, or well ID. Compare the result with the Geological Survey’s construction report before deciding that you have identified the correct well.
If you are planning a new well, verify the contractor’s qualifications and the current state and local requirements before drilling begins. If you are investigating oil or gas drilling, use the Oil and Gas Commission rather than the domestic water well databases.
For a property purchase or a well that has been out of service, consider current physical inspection and water-quality testing in addition to historical records. Those checks address questions that a construction report alone cannot answer.