583826_Chevron_Rework_UIC

2025010057

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/3/2025

1/3/2025

Char'Mane Robinson

Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division

Environmental Scientist

Lead/Public Agency

715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-9686

charmane.robinson@conservation.ca.gov

29S

28E

09

MD

35.42287064 / -118.98074341

Categorical Exemption

Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)

Class 1 applies to the fixing of the casing and rework. Class 1 consists of “the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” (§ 1684.1.) This rework involves repairing any damage discovered by the pressure test consistent with the descriptions of the repair work in the application and adding perforations to an existing well within the same completion interval to return it to operation. This proposed Project is a rework that will maintain an existing level of service and operations. The well will return to the same operations as historical operations, which is production. This rework will use temporary equipment, such as a workover rig, confirmed to fit within the existing wellpad. This proposed Project is a minor alteration involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond previously existing. CalGEM engineer has confirmed the use of the well and capacity of the operation is limited by the existing permits for UIC project code 340-00-013 and the engineering summary indicates the proposed work is within the scope of those approvals.

Categorical Exemption

Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)

Class 2 applies because the rework and any other work to repair the casing 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 involves replacing perforations by adding perforations within the same interval as used previously to return to operation. Any damage to the casing discovered by the pressure test would involve reconstruction as described in the application. 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 340-00-013 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.

Categorical Exemption

Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)

Class 4 applies to the rework and any repairs based on a failed casting test. Class 4 “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 proposed work is located within an industrial area with actively permitted oil and gas operations. Kern River Oilfield is a densely developed, existing oil field with ongoing surface maintenance. The proposed work does not include any changes to the surface or new grading. The proposed rework is intended to maintain the current level of service without expanding the facility. All rework activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad, so there will be no new ground disturbances. There will be no changes to the surface as part of the proposed work, and no new grading will occur.