589144_ Crimson _UIC

2025010942

California Department of Conservation (DOC)

NOE - Notice of Exemption

1/29/2025

1/29/2025

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°12'15.1"N 119°33'25"W

31S

22E

25

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 involves reworking an existing cyclic steam well by replacing the damaged liner without mechanical alterations. A CalGEM district engineer confirmed the historical production of the 18-10 well from February 2019 to October 2024. As a result, the proposed change in well type is considered negligible. Proposed rework activities include replacing a damaged liner to restore well operation. 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, which is production. This rework will use temporary equipment, such as a workover rig, confirmed to fit within the existing wellpad. This proposed Project is a minor alteration involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond previously existing. A CalGEM district engineer has confirmed the use of the well and capacity of the operation is limited by the existing permits for UIC project code 464-00-038 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 proposed rework consists of pulling the existing liner and replacing it with the same size liner at the same approved depth. This will maintain the well's existing level of service and operations and return it to its historical operations. A CalGEM district engineer has reviewed the existing UIC permit 464-00-038 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 existing facilities, which are located in within a densely developed oil field setting. The existing proposed project site has existing roads to provide access to the project site; therefore, no new access roads are required for the project. The proposed activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. 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.