Berry 102023-003-Multi

2024060093

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

6/5/2024

6/5/2024

Renee Hu

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division

Environmental Scientist

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street, MS 1803
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-9686

ceqa@conservation.ca.gov

35°6'14.1"N 119°26'55"W

32S

24E

31

MD

Categorical Exemption

CCR Title 14, section 15301

Class 1 – Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): 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 can be considered maintenance of the wells in order to ensure continued operation by replacing existing, similar equipment (perforations, etc.). Specifically, the purpose of the rework is to conduct maintenance to ensure continued operations by conducting selective perforations and Step Rate Tests. The rework constitutes minor alterations to existing wells and does not propose any changes to the wellbore or structure of the wells. Equipment to conduct the rework operations will use existing roads and will be deployed on existing oilfield pads, with no new surface disturbance. Once the rework is completed the wells will return to service for oil and gas operation. Therefore, there is only negligible or no expansion of existing use beyond that existing.

Categorical Exemption

CCR Title 14, section 15304

Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): Class 4 exemption 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 proposed project involves minor alterations, such as selective perforations and Step Rate Tests, on two existing wells conducted entirely on existing pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The project does not involve the construction of permanent facilities, the expansion of existing facilities, or the disturbance of ground surface. The proposed project is located within an industrial area and the operator will utilize existing roads, powerlines, and production infrastructure.