NOE Aera 072023-001
Summary
SCH Number
2023110709
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
NOE Aera 072023-001
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/30/2023
Document Description
This document is a Notice of Exemption for a rework project on an existing oil and gas well located in Kern County.
The project consists of the following:
Reworking (cement squeeze perforations) an existing well. Temporary equipment for the project includes a workover rig and ancillary equipment. No new permanent facilities will be constructed. There will be no new ground disturbance or expansion of existing facilities associated with this project.
CalGEM has approved permits for Aera Energy LLC to rework the oil and gas wells listed below, in the South Belridge oilfield.
API #
0403019573
Well Name
DTR 921Z-29
Contact Information
Name
Renee Hu
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Northern California, Statewide, Unincorporated
Township
29
Range
28S
Section
21E
Base
MD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exemption applies as CalGEM’s regulations state: “Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells…”. This rework is a cement squeeze of perforations and is considered maintenance of the well in order to ensure O&G production.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
It is also a possible Class 4. The project would be conducted entirely in an existing pad of greater than 0.5 acres (enough to contain all equipment), . The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The project is located within an industrial area. Therefore, the project “consists of drilling operations that result in only minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” The rework would not expand the facility and is conducted in order to maintain level of service.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
It is also a potential Class 2 as this type of rework of a well is considered “replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity”.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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