519420_Thums_Grouped_Reworks_UIC
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024120031
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
519420_Thums_Grouped_Reworks_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/2/2024
Document Description
The initial project description was obtained on February 9, 2024,
and included an NOI with FID 415435. NOI 415435 was processed and approved under the initial Project Description (PD). Subsequently, on July 1, 2024, the operator submitted a second CEQA PD referencing three NOIs: 415435, 495209, and 519420. NOI 415435 has already been approved and will not be evaluated for this second CEQA review. NOI 495209 was returned, and the operator confirmed that it would not be resubmitted. Therefore, this assessment will only evaluate NOI 519420, a rework to abandon current perforations, add uphold in zone perforations, install a new liner, and return the well to production.
Contact Information
Name
CharMane Robinson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Township
05S
Range
12W
Section
17
Base
SB
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 applies to 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 is to reconstruct an existing production well by plugging back and adding perforation to install a liner within the existing well structure. This proposed Project is a rework that will maintain an existing level of service and operations. The well will return to the same operations as historical operations, which is production. This rework will use temporary equipment, such as a workover rig, confirmed to fit within the existing wellpad. This proposed Project is a minor alteration involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond previously existing. CalGEM engineer has confirmed the use of the well and capacity of the operation is limited by the existing permits for UIC project codes 849-42- 001, 849-45-001, and 849-48-001 and the engineering summary indicates the proposed work is within the scope of those approvals.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the rework of the well could be considered “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.” This rework only involves reconstructing an existing well by plugging back the current perforations, adding perforations to install a new liner, and returning the well to production. The NOI does not propose changes to the well's structure (the wellbore).This will maintain the well's existing level of service and operations and return it to its historical operations. CalGEM engineer has reviewed the existing UIC permits 849-42- 001, 849-45-001, and 849-48-001 and confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project and the use of the well and its capacity are limited by the existing permit.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the rework “consists of drilling operations that result in only minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” The rework is intended to maintain the current level of service and will not involve expanding the facility. The proposed activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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