Public data in energy is basically the Wild West, a mix of outdated systems, inconsistent reporting standards, and layers of bureaucracy that make it nearly impossible to use efficiently. In this episode of *Energy 101*, Jacob and Julie chat with John Ferrell, the brains behind WellDatabase, to unpack how all this chaos came to be. From dusty microfiche records to confusing state databases that can’t agree on formats, John breaks down why accessing “public” data often feels like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. He also explains how WellDatabase is cleaning up the mess—turning scattered, messy datasets into tools that actually help operators, analysts, and decision-makers get work done. It’s a surprisingly entertaining look at how something as boring-sounding as data can make or break the energy industry.

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