508830_Group_CREH_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2024110396
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
508830_Group_CREH_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/13/2024
Document Description
The approved project consists of reworking two existing oil and gas production wells. One rework consists of setting a bridge plug and perforating. The second rework would perforate and, if necessary due to casing integrity issues, cement squeeze. Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, workover rig, etc., and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to/from the site. No production facilities and no new ground surface disturbance will be associated with the reworks. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The administrative grouping initially proposed reworking six wells. Of the six wells, two have been exempted in previous preliminary reviews and NOEs were filed for each (refer to SCH# 2024030354 and SCH# 2024020829). Two wells were determined to have integrity issues that required swift action for the protection of public health, safety, and the environment and 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 two wells from the initial administrative grouping. The previously reviewed wells are listed below.
API # Well Name
0403045497 Unspecified 27E-35R
0403039340 Unspecified 64-35S
0403020754 Unspecified 62NE-4G
0403067549 Unspecified 88S-1B
CalGEM has approved permits for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to rework the oil and gas wells listed below, in the Elk Hills Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403065416 Unspecified 27H-33S
0402929091 Unspecified 46-5G
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
30S
Range
24E
Section
33
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
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 proposed project would make minor alterations to two oil and gas production wells by setting a bridge plug in one well, performing cement squeeze in the other well, and perforating in both wells. This work is maintenance done to continue resource production. The wells would remain oil and gas production wells with substantially the same production capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 22800007 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the changes to the existing facilities would be negligible and would not expand the existing use.
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 proposed project would make minor alterations to two oil and gas production wells by setting a bridge plug in one well, performing cement squeeze in the other well, and perforating in both wells. This work is maintenance that would reconstruct the casing of the wells in order to continue resource production. The work would take place on existing wellbores located on existing well pads. The wells would remain oil and gas production wells with substantially the same production capacity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 22800007 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the reconstructed casing would be located on the same sites 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 proposed project would make minor alterations to two oil and gas production wells by setting a bridge plug in one well, performing cement squeeze in the other well, and perforating in both wells. Work would take place on two existing well pads in an established oil field. The well pads are large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Therefore, there would be no new ground disturbance that would impact the surrounding environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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