CREH 082023-004
Summary
SCH Number
2024030766
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
CREH 082023-004
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/21/2024
Document Description
The originally approved project consists of reworking (cement plug and perforate) an existing well. Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. No permanent facilities will be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities will be required. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, workover rig, etc., and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to/from the site. There will not be new ground surface disturbance associated with this project. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
CalGEM has approved permits for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to rework the oil and gas well listed below, in the Buena Vista oilfield.
API #: 0402909582
Well Name: 336-35B
Contact Information
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Statewide
Township
31S
Range
23E
Section
35
Base
MD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): Class 1 exemption may apply 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 could be considered maintenance of the well in order to ensure continued operation. The maintenance activity involves perforating and adding cement to an existing production well to continue safely and efficiently using the well as a production well. No changes to the wellbore are proposed. Because the project is to maintain existing equipment without changes to the structure of the well (the wellbore) and to ensure its continued operation as a production well, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): 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”. This is a rework to cement plug and perforate an existing production well and does not propose changes to the structure of the well (the wellbore). The location of the well will not change, nor will the underground structure of the well (the wellbore) change, nor will the purpose of the well, which is production. After the rework, the well will have substantially the same capacity.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): It is also a possible Class 4. The project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad of greater than 0.5 acres (enough to contain all equipment). No impacts to biological resources are expected. 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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