609527_Group_Aera_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025010230
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
609527_Group_Aera_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/8/2025
Document Description
Aera proposes to rework an existing well located in the Coalinga Oil Field. The proposed rework consists of installing inner casing and returning the well to production.
The entirety of this work is in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) is included in the work design. No new grading will occur in undisturbed areas. Regular operations at the site would include removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance. No new permanent facilities will be constructed to accomplish the proposed activities, and there will be no expansion to the existing facilities.
The administrative grouping initially proposed reworking 2 wells. Of the 2 wells, 1 well was determined to have integrity issues that required swift action for the protection of public health, safety, and the environment and therefore received an expedited review. The work was approved with a prior exemption and the optional NOE was not filed. The scope of this review is the rework of the remaining 1 well from the initial administrative grouping. The well that received an expedited review is listed below.
API # Well Name
0401920679 S29-759A
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving one permit for Aera to rework the well listed below, in the Coalinga Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0401901413 S34-52
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
Fresno
Regions
Countywide, Statewide
Township
19S
Range
15E
Section
34
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Coalinga 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 an existing well involving no expansion of the existing use of the well. 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 installing inner casing and returning the well to production. 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 wellbore. 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 exemption 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 installing inner casing and returning the well to production, and the completion design will be the same as the original wellbore. Therefore, the proposed project consists of replacement or reconstruction and would not change the purpose or capacity of the well.
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 installing inner casing and returning the well to production, and the completion design will be the same as the original wellbore. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. 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.”
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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