PAL SPR 45403022
Summary
SCH Number
2021040026
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
PAL SPR 45403022
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/1/2021
Document Description
The proposed project is an amendment to an UIC project originally approved on November 10, 2008 to dispose up to 10,000 barrels of wastewater per day in to the Olig/Reef Ridge zone, a formation which is not an underground source of drinking water. The amendment (UIC project #45403022) will allow Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC (SPR) to inject up to 70,000 barrels of waste water per day into the Olig/Reef Ridge zone. The increase in injection volume is justified in that the zones are EPA exempt for UIC Class II injection. The Olig/Reef Ridge zone character of high permeability to water, significant thickness, and low pressure due to production depletion make this zone suitable for long-term water disposal.
CalGEM approved this water disposal project to eliminate the use of surface ponds. The ponds now in use (Valley Water Management Ponds 1 and 1-3) are the subject of a cease-and-desist order by the State Water Resources Control Board, an order which establishes a compliance deadline of September 1, 2020.? In a letter dated October 7, 2020 the CVRWQCB stated they have completed their review of the proposed project, which includes expanding the existing UIC operations by adding two additional water disposal wells and increasing the permitted injection rate. Based on the information provided and the conditions contained in CalGEM’s 16 September 2020 draft Project Approval Letter, CVRWQCB Staff do not object to the project provided that the final PAL includes equivalent conditions.
The UIC injection area, parcel 19Z, is a densely developed 40-acre lot that includes 66 active wells, 25 abandoned wells or pilot holes, cyclic steam injection facilities and equipment, and gas injection facilities and equipment. Three of the five UIC project injection wells have been drilled and the remaining two proposed injection wells have been permitted by CalGEM as oil and gas wells. No additional potential environmental impacts have been identified as part of well activities.
Kern County approved the UIC pumps, tankage, and wastewater pipelines, and the operator provided Job Cards to CalGEM to document the approvals. These Job Cards are valid and require county cost recovery and inspections and compliance with mitigation measures, the issued Oil and Gas Conformity Review, and all other applicable standards and conditions outlined in the permit. No additional potential environmental impacts have been identified as part of UIC pumps, tankage, and wastewater pipeline construction.
Details on Underground Injection Control can be found on CalGEM’s website at: http://www.conservation.ca.gov/calgem/Pages/Undergroundinjectioncontrol.aspx
Contact Information
Name
Larry Kleinecke
Agency Name
California Department of Conservation
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 – Existing Facility: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR §15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR §1684.1) because the project includes installation of downhole production or injection equipment as part of the operation and maintenance of existing private facilities and mechanical equipment. It does not present an expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the Lead Agency’s determination. Parcel 19Z is comprised entirely of wells, well pads, and support infrastructure. The addition of two additional wells and minor infrastructure do not represent an expansion of use of the parcel. Approximately 60 percent of the proposed pipeline follows the path of the Star Fee pipeline described in the 2011 IS/MND. The remainder of the proposed pipeline is located on disturbed land within a densely developed oil field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 4” (14 CCR 15304) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project consists of private alterations to the condition of land and/or vegetation that does not involved the removal of mature, scenic trees. The project is not located in a particularly sensitive environment, well away from any residential housing, near the center of a densely developed oil field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15308
Reasons for Exemption
Class 8 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 8” (14 CCR 15308) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project consists of actions to assure the protection of the environment. Those actions, as required by the CVRWQCB, will eliminate the use of surface sumps for waste water disposal.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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