612292_Group_SPR_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2024120257
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
612292_Group_SPR_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/6/2024
Document Description
SPR proposes to rework 33 existing wells located in the Cymric Oil Field. The wells will be completed in the same reservoir as the original wellbores. The completion design will be the same as the original wellbores. The project will include plugging back an existing perforation interval with cement and adding additional perforations to the existing perforated interval. Work will require the following equipment: (1) rig to pull/run tubing and lay the cement plug; (1) bulk truck and (1) pump to plug back the existing wellbores; and (1) wireline truck to add perforations. Deliveries are limited to water. All travel to/from the project location will occur on established roadways and no expansion is required. The speed limit while on SPR property is 15 mph. Dust is controlled via water trucks pursuant to SPR’s Dust Control Plan.
The project is estimated to take 2 days to complete with 10-hour per day operations from 6:00 AM–5:00 PM. The work will be completed in the summer/fall/winter. The existing well pads can accommodate all associated equipment, materials storage, and operations including deliveries and personnel parking. Any undisturbed vegetation will be avoided, and all work will occur on the existing disturbed pads only. No expansion of the existing well pads, road, staging areas or pipelines is required. Freshwater requirements are less than 50 barrels per well to mix the cement used for plugging back the existing perforation interval. Water will be supplied by the West Kern Water District from a local meter on the lease. No new pumps, facilities, or flowlines will be installed. Storage, transmission, and processing will be handled utilizing existing infrastructure. Electricity will be supplied from existing systems. No expansion of the existing facilities is required.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 33 permits for SPR to rework the wells listed below, in the Cymric Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403033299 McKittrick Fee 406
0403033300 McKittrick Fee 407
0403033302 McKittrick Fee 409
0403033303 McKittrick Fee 410
0403033304 McKittrick Fee 411
0403064246 McKittrick Front A23-1
0403064243 McKittrick Front B24-1
0403067059 McKittrick Front D17-1
0403064912 Star Fee A26-1
0403063667 Star Fee A27-1
0403065322 Star Fee A28-1
0403064913 Star Fee B25-1
0403063664 Star Fee B26-1
0403065323 Star Fee B28-1
0403065325 Star Fee B29-1
0403064882 Star Fee D25-1
0403063658 Star Fee D28-1
0403066818 Star Fee D35-1
0403064240 Star Fee E20-1
0403065256 Star Fee E24-1
0403066556 Star Fee E34-1
0403065255 Star Fee F25-1
0403063846 Star Fee F31-1
0403065742 Star Fee F37-1
0403064203 Star Fee G21-1
0403065748 Star Fee G37-1
0403066298 Star Fee H34-1
0403066290 Star Fee H35-1
0403066906 Star Fee I40-1
0403066291 Star Fee J33-1
0403066288 Star Fee J36-1
0403066294 Star Fee J37-1
0403066908 Star Fee J40-1
Contact Information
Name
Maggie Harrington
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Staff Services Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Northern California
Township
30S
Range
22E
Section
06
Other Location Info
Cymric Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, section 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from full review under CEQA pursuant to the "Class 1" (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): 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.” Additionally, in accordance with 14 CCR § 1684.1 the Class 1 exemption consists of operation repair, maintenance, minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. This Class includes but is not limited to conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair, removal, or replacement; installation or removal of downhole production or injection equipment, cement plugs, bridge plugs, and packers set to isolate production or injection intervals. The project will include plugging back an existing perforation interval with cement and adding additional perforations to the existing perforated interval. The proposed work confirms there is no expansion required and that travel to and from the existing well pads can accommodate all associated equipment. The completion design will be the same as the original wellbores, and according to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 19024124 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the Project Approval Letter (PAL). Additionally, any undisturbed vegetation will be avoided, supporting current topographical features involving negligible or no expansion. 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
CCR Title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt from full review under CEQA pursuant to the "Class 2" (14 CCR § 15302) exemption of the CEQA Guidelines because the project 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[.]” Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, “Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The completion design will be the same as the original wellbores, and according to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 19024124 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. The proposed operations are to plug back the lower portion, add new perforations, then return the well back to injection and production. Therefore, the proposed project location would be at the same site and would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, section 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt from full review under CEQA pursuant to the "Class 4" (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2) exemption of the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project would be conducted entirely on existing pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The completion design will be the same as the original wellbores and the work will require equipment that can be supported by the existing well pads. The project will include plugging back an existing perforation interval with cement and adding additional perforations to the existing perforated interval, which would not disturb any undisturbed areas. No expansion of the existing well pads, road, staging areas or pipelines is required. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. The completion design will be the same as the original wellbores and according to a CalGEM engineer, the operations have no modifying effect on UIC project 19024124. Therefore, the proposed project “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.”
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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