650919_SPR_UIC_UGS
3 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024120031
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
650919_SPR_UIC_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/17/2025
Document Description
The rework is to add perforations within existing wellbore. The proposed activity will involve temporary equipment such as a wireline truck and workover rig.
Contact Information
Name
Char'Mane Robinson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Thomas Cruise
Agency Name
Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC (S2641)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
31S
Range
22E
Section
23
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
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 project involves the maintenance of a gas disposal well and does not include modifications or changes to an existing use. The well will remain a gas disposal well and will generally have the same capacity. The operator indicates that no permanent facilities would be constructed, and the project would not involve any new ground surface disturbance, including no new roads. CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project # 464-00-231. Therefore, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
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 idle gas disposal well by adding perforations returning the well to operation. 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 permit UIC project # 464-00-231 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.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions (14 CCR §§ 15300.2)
Reasons for Exemption
CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, 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 exemptions is appropriate.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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