NATIONAL INDEX OF BOREHOLE INFORMATION (NIBI): INCREASING DISCOVERY AND ACCESS TO SUBSURFACE RESOURCES

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP), which was established in 2005 to preserve geoscience data and materials is developing the National Index of Borehole Information (NIBI) (https://webapps.usgs.gov/nibi/), a single portal that will make it easier for stakeholders and future users to access public subsurface data from distributed state and federal repositories. NIBI serves as an index of borehole locations and allows users to directly connect to the home repository for data associated with each borehole. The platform allows repository managers to manage their holdings on NIBI via static uploads or Application Programming Interface (API). The pilot phase of development is ongoing, with a full release planned for October 2023. The NGGDPP will support updates and maintenance of NIBI through grants to State Geological Surveys, who may partner with non-federal entities to expand their impact.

The Integrated Hydrology + Data Science branch of the USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center has created a PostgreSQL database, a searchable map viewer, API, user access roles and management levels, and data domain management to develop NIBI. The NIBI pilot currently involves 12 states and 3 USGS groups and has connected over 18,000 borehole locations. The next steps in the pilot phase are providing guidance for API users and user testing of API connectivity. State Geological Surveys have been important collaborators in all phases of NIBI development, and continued support from the NGGDPP ensures NIBI will be of great benefit to states and the nation.