429942_Berry_UIC

2025010106

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

31S

22E

24

MD

35.20964768 / -119.55885778

Categorical Exemption

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

Class 1 applies to the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously” (§ 1684.1). The proposed Project is to repair an existing steam flood well by selectively patching perforations from 540'-1274' within the existing well structure. 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. This rework will use temporary equipment, such as a workover rig, confirmed to fit within the existing wellpad. The existing facility has established access road Hwy 33 to transport equipment and materials. Therefore, there will be no expansion of the existing facility. 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 464-00-396, 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 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 only involves repairing existing perforations from 540'-1274' within an existing steam flood well. The NOI does not propose changes to the well's structure (the wellbore) and the current well type. 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 464-00-396 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 because the rework “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 is intended to maintain the current level of service and will not involve expanding the facility. The proposed activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. The well pad will accommodate all necessary equipment, operations, and is regularly maintained to prevent overgrowth. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.