UIC Bridgeland 102023-001

2024070028

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

7/1/2024

7/1/2024

Mikayla 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

33°55'32.5"N 117°49'54.5"W

03S

09W

09

SB

Categorical Exemption

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

Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alterations” of existing structures involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” The proposed project would be a maintenance and minor alteration of an existing well, in which the operator would clean out the well and perforate the casing. The purpose of the project is to continue resource development and use and capacity would not expand over historical operations. There will be no changes to the wellbore or structure of the well and the well would remain a production well with substantially the same capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project 070-00-011 and is a continuation of operations within the confines of the project.

Categorical Exemption

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

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 proposed project would reconstruct the well by perforating the casing and re-installing production equipment. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. This is a rework of an existing production well that takes place on an existing wellbore and would utilize existing facilities, including roads. The purpose of the project is to continue resource development, not to expand use or capacity. The well would remain a production well with substantially the same capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project 070-00-011 and is a continuation of operations within the confines of the project.

Categorical Exemption

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

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 proposed project would be a minor alteration of an existing well, in which the operator would clean out the well and perforate the casing. All activities would take place on an existing pad. The site can be accessed using existing roads, and no new disturbance will be needed for equipment to access the site. There are negligible or no permanent surface disturbance related activities that could potentially affect the existing condition of the land, water, air, or vegetation.