Siloed and disparate wellbore datasets from federal, state, and tribal entities have been acquired, processed, standardized, and integrated to produce a dynamic national wellbore database. The initial version (March 2023) served as a use case to test and implement the standardization and integration methodology. It was initially developed and titled CO2-Locate to inform injection site selection, permitting, and other stakeholder needs. Since its initial release, NETL has substantially enhanced this resource with expansions including 50+ more data sources and millions of additional well records.

As an evolving resource, the next release is scheduled for Summer 2025 as the Wellbore Exploration and Location Logistic System (WELLS) Database. The WELLS Database will contain more than six million wellbore records, containing critical information to support a range of uses, including oil, gas, and critical mineral production. This is built to be a living database, which will eventually enable access through an application programming interface (API), but currently provides annual updates using a series of bespoke Python scripts that acquire, process, standardize, and integrate the resources automatically with minimal curation needed.

Supplemental Information:

In addition to the integrated wellbore data records, this resource includes supplemental information to support domestic energy advancements. Resources packaged within the database include spatial summary layers from proprietary wellbore resources, providing additional insights, including wellbore summaries queried by age, status, and depth. Moreover, this resource includes the previously published Global Oil and Gas Infrastructure (GOGI) Database, with updates on U.S. infrastructure.

Metadata resources packaged with this database include a field dictionary with field (i.e., attribute) coverage across acquired public well resources; the resulting integrated public well layers are detailed in the supplemental information table, CO2_Locate_Field_Dictionary.pdf.

Notes for consideration:

This database will be updated as new data and information become available and are processed, reviewed, and approved for release. Additional state and federal entity data are planned to be integrated and included in future revisions. Summary layers provided in this application are derived from proprietary layers and may not always contain key features; therefore, these features might not be shown when data are queried.