624784_SPR_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025020487
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
624784_SPR_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/14/2025
Document Description
New Drill for an observation well consisting of drilling a new borehole to total depth and installing a cemented casing string from total depth to the surface. The purpose of this observation well is to collect temperature data for monitoring purposes on an ongoing basis. The duration of the construction phase of the proposed project will be approximability four days using equipment such as a drilling rig.
Contact Information
Name
Char'Mane Robinson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Thomas Cruise
Agency Name
Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC (S2641)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
22E
Section
06
Base
MD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because 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.” The proposed project is located within an active oilfield. The proposed project involves constructing a new observation well on an established well pad for data collection purposes. The proposed drilling activities and associated temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6, Information Collection (14 CCR § 15306.)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 6 applies and consists of “basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes only, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded”. The proposed project involves constructing a new observation well on an established well pad for data collection purposes. This well will provide measurable data to analyze overburden reservoirs and temperature trends. The temperature trends will confirm any reservoir leakage and identify the necessary remedial actions for nearby wells. The project is intended for data collection and research on an ongoing basis. The Class 6 exemption further applies because the data collection will be used to inform part of a study that may, depending on the research results, lead to an action which has not yet been approved or funded.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions apply. The exemptions consist of actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by law to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource or the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. Adhering to CalGEM Order to Perform Remedial Work, No.1296, the proposed project will drill a new observation well on an established well pad for data collection to assist with subsidence prevention and management. Therefore, the proposed project involves new observation to ensure healthy operations to address subsidence issues for the protection of natural resources and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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