UIC Chevron 022024-001

2024040629

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/15/2024

4/15/2024

Mikayla A Vaba

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division

Environmental Planner

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street, MS 1900
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 767-7020

mikayla.vaba@conservation.ca.gov

35°37'48.1"N 119°44'9.7"W

26S

21E

32

MD

Coordinates: 35.63003922, -119.73603058; 35.62499237, -119.73071289

Categorical Exemption

Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR § 15301, 1684.1)

The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project involves the maintenance of existing structures with negligible expansion of use. The operator proposes to conduct maintenance on an existing observation well and convert an existing oil production well to an observation well for data collection purposes. The project would take place in a well-developed oil field that already includes observation wells. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities and will utilize existing facilities including roads. The observation wells would be used to monitor a potential upward fluid migration within a portion of UIC project 43200024 and would not expand production capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project 43200024 and is a continuation of operations within the confines of the project. For these reasons and as the project file supports, any change in use or the wells is negligible and qualifies for the Class 1 exemption.

Categorical Exemption

Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)

The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 2” exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project involves reconstructing an existing structure that will be located on the same site and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity. The project involves the conversion of an existing oil production well to an observation well, which will take place on an existing wellpad in a well-developed oil field. The structure would have substantially the same purpose, which is to maintain the level of service of the well in the field while ensuring the safety of oil field operations. The capacity of the well structures being replaced or reconstructed are substantially the same because the work will convert the well for data collection purposes and would not expand the former or existing production capacity or well bore.

Categorical Exemption

Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR § 15304, 1684.2)

The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 4” exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project will result in only minor alterations with negligible effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation. The project involves the maintenance of an existing observation well and conversion of an existing oil production well to an observation well. The operator indicates that no new ground disturbance would occur, and no new facilities would be constructed. Access to the project would be from existing infield roads, and the existing well pad would be used to stage the maintenance equipment. Therefore, there would be negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the environmental conditions.

Categorical Exemption

Class 6, Information Collection (14 CCR § 15306)

The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 6” exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project will maintain an observation well and convert a production well to an observation well for data collection purposes. The purpose of the wells is not to produce oil or gas. Rather, the wells will be used to monitor and collect data regarding potential upward fluid migration within a portion of UIC project 43200024. The data collection will inform the operator and CalGEM in managing and regulating, respectively, existing UIC operations. Therefore, the proposed will not result in any serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource such as species and the Class 6 exemption applies.

Categorical Exemption

Classes 7 and 8, Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308)

The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 7” and “Class 8” exemptions per the CEQA Guidelines because CalGEM would approve the NOIs for maintaining an observation well and converting a production well into an observation well so that data can be collected regarding potential upward fluid migration and then used to make operational and regulatory decisions to maintain or protect natural resources and the environment, including public health and safety from environmental conditions. In addition, to the extent any casing pressure testing demonstrates the presence of a leak, Classes 7 and 8 cover the immediate work to stop the leak so as to protect natural resources and the environment, including public health and safety from environmental conditions.