544815_Grouped_Macpherson_OG_UIC

2025010522

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/16/2025

1/16/2025

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

35°28'58.7"N 118°53'22.2"W

28S

29E

19

MD

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 proposes to reconstruct and repair five existing wells. These five existing wells 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 well pads. These wellpads will accommodate temporary equipment, operation, and personnel parking. 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 codes 628-09-021, 628-09-023, 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 and any repair work to the casing 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 reconstructing and repairing five existing wells. NOI 544815 repairs casing and adds perforations to return the waterflood well to injection. NOI 545849 reconstruction of re-abandon Vedder, running inner casing, and return to injection. NOI 548143 runs the inner casing to return to injection, while NOIs 547034 and 547038 are reworks to abandon the lower Vedder zone. These NOIs do not propose any changes to the well's structure (the wellbore). It does not propose any expansion or changes in existing use for all five existing wells. 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 permits 628-09-021, 628-09-023 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 permits.

Categorical Exemption

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

Class 4 applies to the rework because the rework activities will not affect the condition of the surrounding area. 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.” Round Mountain is an established oil field. This proposed project rework is to reconstruct and repair five existing wells. The rework is intended to maintain the current level of service and will not expand or significantly alter the existing facility. The proposed activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There will be no impact on listed species, and no sensitive receptors are within 3,200 feet of the project area. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.

Other

Exceptions to Exemptions (14 CCR §§ 15300.2)

CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, there is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemptions is appropriate.