State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project - Las Cienegas
Summary
SCH Number
2024120428
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project - Las Cienegas
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2024
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the plug and abandonment (P&A) of 21 existing orphan wells in Los Angeles County as part of CalGEM’s State Abandonment Program. The proposed work involves well abandonment and decommissioning tanks and other production-related facilities attendant to the wells. The wells are contained within a 12-foot wide, by 120-foot long, by 8-foot deep well bay. For well abandonment, each well will be cleaned out and then plugged with cement and inert mud to surface. After abandonment, the well head will be removed, and any remaining well casings and surface conductors will be cut to just above the bay floor. Once the well bay is clean, it will have suitable fill placed and compacted. The well bay will be encapsulated with impermeable concrete to seal the bay area. These wells are situated within an established oil field in an urban setting on private lands surrounded by an 8-foot masonry wall.
CalGEM has approved a task order for its contractor to perform the proposed work on the wells listed at the end of this NOE. Notices of Intention will be issued to the contractor for administrative purposes only and do not constitute a discretionary approval.
API # Lat Lon
403720383 34.03175, -118.278
403720356 34.03176, -118.278
403706333 34.03177, -118.278
403720439 34.03178, -118.278
403720475 34.03178, -118.278
403720275 34.03179, -118.278
403720476 34.0318, -118.278
403720564 34.03182, -118.278
403720502 34.03181, -118.278
403720455 34.03182, -118.278
403705177 34.03183, -118.278
403720511 34.03184, -118.278
403720372 34.03184, -118.278
403720609 34.03185, -118.278
403720194 34.03185, -118.278
403720203 34.03187, -118.278
403720628 34.03185, -118.278
403720191 34.03188, -118.278
403720308 34.03188, -118.278
403720165 34.03189, -118.278
403720125 34.03189, -118.278
Contact Information
Name
Greg Chittick
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Statewide
Township
02S
Range
13W
Section
06
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Las Cienegas Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exemption applies as CalGEM’s regulations state: “Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells…”. These abandonments could be considered a minor alteration to the existing facilities because the existing wells will be permanently sealed. After abandonment, the well will cease to be used for oil and gas activities. Therefore, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies as the project would be conducted entirely on existing pads of sufficient space enough to contain all equipment, and existing roads to the pad would be utilized with no new disturbance. No impacts to biological resources are expected because abandonment activities would not disturb any undisturbed area, and the pads are located within industrial, urban areas. Therefore, the 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.” The abandonments would not expand the facility and are conducted in order to protect the surrounding natural resources and environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15307, 15308
Reasons for Exemption
Orphan wells, due to their inherent lack of maintenance and open pipe to potential reservoir pressure and fluids, present an increased risk for potential leaks that could affect and impact natural resources and environment in the area. In addition, because the wells are within 3,200 feet of residences, the increased risk of leaks of hazardous substances could negatively impact surrounding sensitive receptors. Orphan wells present an increased risk of leaks when compared to a properly abandoned well and therefore must be plugged and abandoned to minimize a potential threat of a release and subsequent impact. Abandonment of these orphan wells would ensure that risks from leaks and potential impacts to the natural resources and environment are minimized to the extent feasible and therefore the Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions are potentially applicable.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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