486691_Group_Berry_OG_UIC

2024091138

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

9/30/2024

9/30/2024

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°34'55.4"N 119°2'21.7"W

27S

27E

14

MD

Poso Creek 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 repair and maintenance of existing wells that would not change the existing use of the wells. 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” (§ 1684.1). The proposed project would perforate and repair the casing of two existing oil and gas wells. This work is done to maintain the condition of the wells and would not expand the existing use of the wells. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 56606008 and would be a continuation of the baseline operations as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed work would not change the use of the wells, as the wells would remain oil and gas production wells with substantially the same production capacity.

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 the reconstruction of the casing on two existing wells that would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells. Class 2 consists of “replacement or reconstruction” of existing 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 proposed project would alter the casing of two oil and gas wells by perforating and adding tie back casing string. The work would take place on existing oil and gas wells located on existing well pads. This work is done to maintain the condition of the wells and would not expand the existing use of the wells. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 56606008 and would be a continuation of the baseline operations as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed work would not change the use of the wells, as the wells would remain oil and gas production wells with substantially the same production capacity.

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 operations that will not have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. Class 4 consists of “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 repair the casing on two existing oil and gas production wells in order to maintain the wells and continue resource production. The wells are located on existing well pads that are large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. As such, the proposed work will not disturb the surrounding environment by constructing new facilities or expanding existing facilities. Exceptions to Exemptions: CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2 (c)) referenced above. There is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemption(s) is appropriate. Consistent with the purposes of PRC § 3250 et seq. and the documentation available for the preliminary review, the proposed project will benefit the environment. In addition, the work under the contracts and any resulting impacts will be temporary in duration. Therefore, the project can be considered exempt from the need for full CEQA review.