OG Seneca 4 Wells 08252020
Summary
SCH Number
2020090229
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
OG Seneca 4 Wells 08252020
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/14/2020
Present Land Use
Coalinga Oil Field
Document Description
The proposed project consists of drilling 4 new wells in the Coalinga Oil Field in Fresno County. The proposed wells are located on an existing pad in a densely developed oil field, within a parcel under active oil production and is consistent with Fresno County’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
API # Well Name
0401926412 90316976 - 35A 2003
0401926411 90316976 - 35A 2001
0401926414 90316976 - 35A 5007
0401926413 90316976 - 35A 5011
Contact Information
Name
Tharon Wright
Agency Name
California Geologic Energy Management Division
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Seneca
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15261 (b)
Reasons for Exemption
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 Coalinga 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 wells 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.
Exceptions to Exemptions: CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the otherwise-applicable categorical exemptions (PRC §21084; 14 CCR 15300.2(c)). There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there is no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, this project is not subject to CEQA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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