627752_Group_Crimson_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2024120832
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
627752_Group_Crimson_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/18/2024
Document Description
Crimson proposes to rework 2 existing wells located in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field. The proposed reworks consist of pulling the existing liner and replacing it with the same size liner at the same depth. The purpose for the reworks is that the wells have experienced excessive sand influx through the existing slotted interval indicating slot damage. This project is expected to last four to five days. Temporary equipment for the project includes one (1) production hoist, one (1) circulating pump, one (1) shale bin, one (1) vacuum truck, one (1) tool support truck, one (1) pipe trailer, and one (1) 3/4-ton pickup truck. A production rig, approximately 95 feet in height, will be utilized to pull the existing production string, change the liner and run the same string for production. All equipment will be staged on the existing location. The proposed rework activities will complete the wells into the same zone that the wells were previously completed in with no pool change.
The wells are located on an existing well pad with existing access roads located within a densely developed oil field. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. Reworking activities and return to operation of the existing wells include the following phases: reworking and equipping phase, a production phase, and a plugging and abandonment phase. All proposed work will comply with all updated California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) regulations. The existing well site is maintained free of vegetation based on permits previously received from CalGEM for the original preparation of the well pad and drilling of the existing wells.
The proposed project consists of CalGEM approving 2 permits for Crimson to rework the wells listed below, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403054485 19-02
0403056193 17-01
Contact Information
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Statewide
Township
31S
Range
22E
Section
25
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset 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
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 pulling the existing liner and replacing it with the same size liner at the same depth. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed, and the completion design will be the same as the original wellbores. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 46400038 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the Project Approval Letter (PAL). 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
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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, “[r]eplacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The project will include pulling the existing liner and replacing it with the same size liner at the same depth, and the completion design will be the same as the original wellbores. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 46400038 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed project consists of replacement or reconstruction and would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
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. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The project will include pulling the existing liner and replacing it with the same size liner at the same depth, and the completion design will be the same as the original wellbores. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 46400038 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. The proposed project is located within an industrial area, and the existing well site is maintained free of vegetation based on permits previously received from CalGEM for the original preparation of the well pad and drilling of the existing wells. 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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