558238_SJFM_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2024120433
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
558238_SJFM_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2024
Document Description
The project is to install an inner liner in an active water disposal injection well to repair casing damage, Ten Section WD 2-31, using standard workover operations. The well is located within the fully disturbed area of the Ten Section Oil Field, which lies within unincorporated Kern County. Temporary equipment such as production hoists, portable tanks, work trucks, and return bins to perform the work, but no permanent facilities will be constructed. There would be no new ground disturbance or expansion of any associated facilities. Waste materials from the location will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste, as appropriate, at a facility licensed to accept the waste.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for SJFM to rework the well WD 2-31listed below, in the Ten Section Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # 0402979631 Well Name WD 2-31
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation GEOLOGIC ENERGY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Northern California
Township
30S
Range
26E
Section
31
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of an existing previously permitted well involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to; remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The well would maintain its existing well type and the use of the well would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because it 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 proposed project is the rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore, which is needed to perform the same purpose, on the same site and at the same capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. 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.” The rework would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7&8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources & the Environment (14 CCR §§15307,15308)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions apply. The exemptions are for actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by law to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource or the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment.” As demonstrated in the record, the proposed project involves remedial/rework operations to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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