530203_Group_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2024101059
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
530203_Group_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/24/2024
Document Description
The approved project consists of reworking 13 steamflood injection wells by performing cement squeeze 5 wells, performing cement squeeze and adding perforations to 5 wells, and perforating 3 wells. The proposed site for each rework operation will encompass an area of 100 feet by 200 feet (20,000 square feet, or 0.47 acres). Each individual rework will take a total of 3.5 days once work has begun. Equipment that may be utilized during rework operations includes, but is not limited to workover rig, wireline truck, coil tubing unit, cement equipment, pumps, tanks, backhoes, pickup trucks, and delivery trucks. The work will occur on existing well pads and will use existing facilities. No new infrastructure will occur as a result of the work. No new grading in undisturbed areas will occur in any phase of the work.
The administrative grouping initially proposed reworking 20 wells. Of the 20 wells, 7 wells were determined to have integrity issues that required swift action for the protection of public health, safety, and the environment and therefore received expedited review. The work was approved with a prior exemption and the optional NOE was not filed. The scope of this review is the rework of the remaining 13 wells from the initial administrative grouping. The wells that received expedited review are listed below.
API # Well Name
0403026053 Lost Hills Three 5129-13
0403051820 Lost Hills C 5183R1-13
0403054189 Unspecified 686S-12
0403051822 Lost Hills C 5208R-13
0403059788 Anderson-Fitzgerald 4607U-26S
0403065258 SEBU T 5179-12
0403067658 Lost Hills C LC5161-13
CalGEM has approved permits for Aera Energy LLC to rework the steamflood injection wells listed below, in the Lost Hills and South Belridge oil fields.
API # Well Name
0403038656 Lost Hills Govt. 5219-18
0403060867 Lost Hills Three LH3034R-13
0402988917 Lost Hills Three TO35-13
0403054750 MD3241-13
0403062719 MD306R-13
0403043066 Marina 5010A-10
0403038619 Lost Hills Govt. 5322-18
0403029968 Lost Hills C 5202R-13
0403060863 Lost Hills Three LH5076R-13
0403062628 637GL-20
0403062649 Lost Hills Govt. G4-11 BR1-18
0403029970 Lost Hills Three 5128R-13
0403051821 Lost Hills C 3247R-13
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
21E
Range
26S
Section
18
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Kern County, Lost Hills & South Belridge oil fields
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project would make minor changes to existing wells involving no expansion of the existing use of the wells. Class 1 consists of the “minor alteration” of existing facilities “involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.” (14 CCR § 15301.) This includes “alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) The project would make negligible changes to 13 existing steamflood injection wells that would not change the existing use of the wells. The project would cement squeeze 5 wells, cement squeeze and add perforations to 5 wells, and perforate 3 wells. These are minor changes meant to maintain the wells in order to continue resource development. The wells would remain steamflood injection wells with substantially the same capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC projects 43200022 and 05200010 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC projects as permitted by the PALs. Therefore, the changes to the existing facilities would be negligible and would not expand the existing use of the facilities.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under the Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction exemption because the project would reconstruct the casing of existing wells and would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells. Class 2 consists of “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 the casing of 13 existing steamflood injection wells by performing cement squeeze 5 wells, performing cement squeeze and adding perforations to 5 wells, and perforating 3 wells. The work would take place on existing wells which are located on existing well pads in two densely developed oilfields. This reconstruction of the casing is meant to maintain the wells in order to continue resource development. The wells would remain steamflood injection wells with substantially the same purpose and capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC projects 43200022 and 05200010 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC projects as permitted by the PALs. The reconstructed well casing would remain in the same site and would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under the Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land exemption because the project would have negligible effects 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” (14 CCR § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304.) The project would rework 13 existing steamflood injection wells, which are located on existing well pads within two densely developed oilfields. The project would not involve grading in undisturbed areas or the construction of new facilities. The project would use existing facilities, including existing electrical lines, infrastructure, and roads. Therefore, the project would not result in new ground disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding land, water, air, or vegetation.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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