539487_Group_Aera_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025010822
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
539487_Group_Aera_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/27/2025
Document Description
Aera Energy LLC (Aera) proposes to rework 2 existing wells located in the South Belridge Oil Field. The proposed reworks consist of pulling and replacing the existing liner. Temporary equipment for the project would include a workover rig, wireline unit, cementing equipment, pump, tank, power swivel, pickup truck, and delivery truck. 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.
The work will occur on existing well pads and work locations will be accessed using existing access roads. The work will involve installation of various above-ground piping to connect well sites to existing infrastructure. No new infrastructure will occur as a result of the work.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 2 permits for Aera to rework the wells listed below, in the South Belridge Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403031597 SEBU T 3197-12
0403058089 3374-35
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
Name
Aera Permitting
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Form Contact
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Statewide
Township
29S
Range
21E
Section
12
Base
MD
Other Location Info
South Belridge 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 existing wells involving no expansion of the existing use of the wells. 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 consists of pulling and replacing the existing liner. No expansion of the existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed, and the completion design would be the same as the original wellbores. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 05200010 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the project approval letter (PAL). 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 the “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 would include pulling and replacing the existing liner, and the completion design would be the same as the original wellbores. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 05200010 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed project consists of replacement or reconstruction and would not change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
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. Class 4 consists of “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” (14 CCR § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304). The proposed project would be conducted entirely on existing pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would include pulling and replacing the existing liner, and the completion design would be the same as the original wellbores. No expansion of the existing well pads, 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.”
Exceptions to Exemptions: 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.
A copy of this NOE (as required by 14 CCR § 15062(a)) and all other related materials can be made available to the public by contacting the CalGEM CEQA Program, located at 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814; by calling (916) 445-9686; or an electronic copy of these documents may be requested by contacting CEQA@conservation.ca.gov. The notice filed with the State Clearinghouse may be accessed online at: https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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