651387_Group_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025010062
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
651387_Group_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/3/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 2 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Kern River Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. Due to the proximity of wells to each other in an already disturbed densely developed and active Kern River Oilfield they are grouped in this application. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 400 barrels, each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well. UIC Project #34000013 is a steamflood project in the Kern River Reservoir, Kern River Oil Field, Kern County, California. It includes continuous steam injection and cyclic steam wells. The most recent Project Approval Letter (PAL) was issued on 11/05/2002, and the most recent non-expansion infill package was approved on 07/25/2023. There are no proposed changes to UIC Project #34000013.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 2 permit(s) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Kern River Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0403038541 Sterling 228H
0402930482 Junction 29
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Northern California
Township
28S
Range
28E
Section
31
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Sterling 228H, Junction 29
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facility (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
Categorical Exemption
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 of the existing wellbore which is needed to restore the wells to their original functionality. The rework will be the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
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 reworking 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
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8, Protection of Natural Resources and 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 rework involving remedial/rework to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.