The proposed project consists of drilling one new well in the Ten Section Oil Field in Kern County. The proposed well is located in a densely developed oil field, within a parcel under active oil production and is consistent with Kern County’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
API # Well Name
0403068613 KCL 59 CPG #1
The project is statutorily exempt from CEQA under the Ongoing Project exemption (PRC 21169; 14 CCR 15261(b)) because CalGEM identified administrative boundaries of the Ten Section oil & gas field that were approved prior to April 5, 1973 (pre-CEQA). CalGEM permit approvals for oil & gas activities within this field occurred before April 5, 1973 and those permit approvals occurring after that date do not involve a greater degree of responsibility or control over the project as a whole than did the prior approvals.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR §15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines and per CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR §1684.1) because the well will be installed within an existing oil field and involves no expansion of use of the oil field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 4” (14 CCR 15304) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project involves the minor alteration of the condition of land and/or vegetation within a densely developed oil field and does not require the removal of healthy, mature scenic trees.