CREH 122023-001-Multi
Summary
SCH Number
2024050867
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
CREH 122023-001-Multi
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2024
Document Description
The approved project consists of the maintenance of 12 existing oil and gas production wells. This includes running a scraper and bit to clean out the wells, selectively adding pay, and performing acid treatment. All work would take place on two existing wellpads. and would take approximately 7 to 10 days to complete. Wells pass through UIC project 00000024. Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. 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. No production facilities and no new ground surface disturbance will be associated with the reworks.
CalGEM has approved permits for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to rework the oil and gas wells listed below, in the Any Field-Buena Vista (Nose) oil field.
API # Well Name
0403062171 363B-I-10H
0403062166 315-J-10H
0403062168 336-J-10H
0403063583 345-J-10H
0403063042 354-I-10H
0403063119 364-J-10H
0403064514 383-I-10H
0403063120 321-J-10H
0403062169 322-J-10H
0403064483 386-I-10H
0403063311 321-N-15H
0403063392 341-O-15H
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla A Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
32S
Range
25E
Section
09
Base
MD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR § 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 because the proposed project is a rework of 12 existing wells which the operator proposes to clean and selectively add pay in order to continue resource development. Class 1 applies to the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously”. This rework is a maintenance of the wells that involves cleaning out the wells and performing acid treatment in order to improve the performance and condition of the wells. The wells will remain production wells with generally the same production capacity. The rework will not result in an expansion or deepening of the wellbore. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project 00000024 and a continuation of operations within the confines of the project. Accordingly, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 – Replacement or Reconstruction: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 2” (14 CCR § 15302) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is a rework of 12 existing production wells which are located on two existing wellpads and will have the same purpose and capacity. Class 2 applies to the “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 as the structure replaced.” The purpose of the project is to continue resource development by repairing and replacing a steel seal between the casing string on the well. The project does not propose changes to the structure of the well (the wellbore). The location of the wells will not change, nor will the underground structure of the well, or the purpose of the wells, which is production. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project 00000024 and a continuation of operations within the confines of the project. As such, the wells will remain production wells and will have substantially the same capacity.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR § 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 involves minor alterations to existing wells on two existing well pads, resulting in negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air and/or vegetation. Class 4 applies to “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” The operator indicates that the project does not involve the construction of permanent facilities, the expansion of existing facilities, or the disturbance of ground surface. The project will take place existing wellpads that are large enough to accommodate all necessary equipment. The operator will utilize existing roads, powerlines, and production infrastructure.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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