582953_CRPC_OG_UIC

2024090668

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/17/2024

9/17/2024

Mikayla Vaba

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division

Environmental Planner

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street, MS 1803
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-9686

CEQA@conservation.ca.gov

35°29'0.9"N 119°1'51"W

28S

27E

23

MD

Kern Front Oil Field

Categorical Exemption

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

The project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project involves the maintenance of an existing well that would not expand the existing use of the well. Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities “involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously” (14 CCR § 15301), including “cement plugs” (§ 1684.1). The proposed project involves adding a cement plug back to an existing oil and gas production well in order to continue resource production. The well is and would remain an oil and gas production well with substantially the same production capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 33800001and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project.

Categorical Exemption

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

The project is exempt under the Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction exemption because the project involves reconstructing the casing of an existing well and would not change the purpose or capacity of the well. Class 2 consists of “replacement or reconstruction” of facilities “located on the same site as the structure replaced” where the structure will have “substantially the same purpose and capacity” (14 CCR § 15302). The project involves reconstructing the casing of an existing oil and gas well by adding a cement plug. This reconstruction would take place on an existing well which is located on an existing well pad. The well is and would remain an oil and gas production well with substantially the same capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 33800001and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project.

Categorical Exemption

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

The project is exempt under the Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land exemption because the project involves minor alterations with negligible effects to the surrounding environment. Class 4 involves “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 would make negligible changes to an existing oil and gas production well in order to continue resource production. The proposed work does not involve any surface disturbance related activities that could potentially impact the surrounding environment. The work would take place on an existing well pad that can be accessed by existing roads and that can accommodate all necessary equipment. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Additionally, the project is located in a highly developed oil field, in which large portions of the field are maintained to be devoid of vegetation for ongoing oil and gas operations. As such, the project would not require new ground disturbance that would impact biological resources or their habitat beyond the baseline conditions.