583751_Group_SoCalGas_UGS_P&A
Summary
SCH Number
2025020200
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
583751_Group_SoCalGas_UGS_P&A
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/7/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would abandon two observation wells. The proposed work would include operations to plugback the wells with cement to surface, perforate the casing as needed, cement squeeze through holes to isolate zones, cut and recover production casing, and place abandonment mud between cement plugs. Surface lines and all rig anchors will be removed, and the wellsites will be restored upon completion. This work will be performed at the wellsites within the SoCalGas facilities. Rig anchors are located within the work area boundaries and minimal excavation will be utilized. Emission avoidance guidelines will be followed. Temporary equipment such as a workover rig, tanks, bins, and pumps will be needed during workover operations. The expected duration of this project is estimated to be about 16 weeks. There are no plans for expansion or construction of any associated facilities. Waste materials will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste and sent to the proper waste facility for disposal.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving two permits for Southern California Gas Company to abandon the wells listed below, in the Playa Del Rey Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403714019 Del Rey 14
0403714024 Del Rey 19
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Thomas McMahon
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Township
02S
Range
15W
Section
27
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Playa Del Rey Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project would make minor alterations to two observation wells in order to abandon the wells. Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” This includes “remedial, maintenance, 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.” (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1.). The proposed well work would include operations to plugback two wells by cementing to surface, perforating the casing as needed, cement squeezing through holes to isolate zones, cutting and recovering production casing, and placing abandonment mud between cement plugs. The project would not expand the existing use of the wells. The project would permanently seal the wells, resulting in the discontinuation of their use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is exempt under the Class 2, Replacement and Reconstruction exemption because the project would reconstruct the wellbores of two observation wells in order to abandon the wells. Class 2 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[.]” (14 CCR § 15302.). The proposed project would reconstruct the wellbores and casing of two observation wells by plugging the wells with cement, perforating the casing as needed, cement squeezing through holes to isolate zones, cutting and recovering production casing, and placing abandonment mud between cement plugs. The project would be located on existing well pads and would not expand the existing use of the wells. The project would permanently seal the wells, resulting in the discontinuation of their use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is exempt under the Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land exemption because the project would make minor alterations to two observation wells with negligible effects to the surrounding environment. 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 §§ 15304, 1684.2.). The well pads are large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. The project would take place on well pads located within the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve; however, biological surveys provided in the record demonstrate that the proposed disturbance areas are non-wetland. Rig anchors would be removed, which involves excavation in front of the rig anchor approximately six to eight feet wide and five feet deep, followed by efforts to pull anchor free. The rig anchors are located within the boundary of the well pads; therefore, any excavation work would take place on previously disturbed, non-wetland work areas. This work is meant to abandon the wells and would ultimately result in the cessation of work in the project area. Therefore, the project would not result in any surface disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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