Berry 022024-002
Summary
SCH Number
2024060601
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
Berry 022024-002
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/13/2024
Document Description
The originally approved project consists of reworking an existing oil and gas production well by cleaning out the well to total depth, perforating the liner, placing a cased hole gravel pack, and cementing the casing if it should fail testing. The proposed project is estimated to take an estimated 5 days once work has begun. The project will utilize a workover rig, and various temporary support equipment that include delivery trucks, backhoes, and pickup trucks. The well pad will be able to accommodate all associated equipment and operations, including personnel parking.
CalGEM has approved permits for Berry Petroleum Company, LLC to rework the oil and gas well listed below, in the Belridge, South oil field.
API #: 0402966751
Well Name: Hill 40
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla 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
28S
Range
21E
Section
19
Base
MD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1, Existing Facilities consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alterations” of existing structures involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” The project would rework an existing production well by cleaning out the well to total depth, perforating the liner, placing a cased hole gravel pack, and cementing the casing if it should fail testing. This maintenance, or in other words the cleaning and perforation, of the existing structure would bring the well back to its approved production capacity and would not expand use beyond that existing previously. The well is and would remain a production well.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction 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” (14 CCR § 15302). The project would reconstruct an existing production well located on an existing well pad that can accommodate necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. This reconstruction involves perforating the liner of the well to bring the well back to its approved production capacity and would not expand use beyond that existing previously. The well is and would remain a production well.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
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” (§1684.2). The proposed project involves rework to an existing production well by cleaning out the well to total depth, perforating the liner, placing a cased hose gravel pack, and cementing the casing, and does not involve any temporary or permanent surface disturbance related activities that could potentially impact the existing condition of the land, water, air, or vegetation. All activities would take place on an existing well pad in a developed oil field that can be accessed by existing roads, and no new infrastructure is proposed. The activity’s impacts would be consistent or a continuation of the baseline conditions.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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