630693_Chevron_Deepen_UIC

2025010525

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°26'5"N 118°59'46.7"W

29S

28E

05

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 project involves the maintenance of oil production wells and does not include modifications or changes to an existing use. The wells are and will remain oil production wells and will generally have the same production capacity. The proposal involves the deepening of two existing cyclic steam wells to a new bottom hole target within the same formation while utilizing the current wellbores and installing new slot liners. The operator indicates that no permanent facilities would be constructed, and the project would not involve any new ground surface disturbance, including no new roads or other corridors. CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project code 340-00-013. Therefore, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing

Categorical Exemption

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

Class 2 applies because the rework of the wells 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.” The reconstruction activity consists of deepening and installation of slotted liners to restore functionally for two existing cyclic steam wells. The NOIs do not propose changes to the well structures (the wellbores). For each well, this will maintain the well's existing level of service and operations and return it to its historical operations. A CalGEM engineer has reviewed the existing permits for UIC project code 340-00-013 and confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project, and the use of the wells and their capacity are limited by the existing permits.

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 drilling operations, deepening of the two existing cyclic steam wells, are 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 well pads. There will be no new grading and no construction of additional facilities. Operator indicated there will be no permanent and temporary habitat disturbances. 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.