653665_Chevron_Grouped_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025020807
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
653665_Chevron_Grouped_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/24/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 3 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Cymric/McKittrick Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. Work will include conducting a casing integrity test followed by potentially setting a bridge plug, cutting off damaged casing, welding on new casing, testing blowout prevention unit, changing out the wellhead, performing a tieback, and/or removing a retrievable bridge plug. Due to the proximity of wells to each other in an already disturbed, densely developed and active Cymric/McKittrick Oilfield they are grouped in this application. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 750 barrels, each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well.
Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. Various mobile, temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, backhoe, crane, and rework rig, and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to and from the site. No new production facilities or new ground disturbance will take place. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
UIC Project #19024021 is a Steamflood project in the Tulare Formation, Cymric Oil Field, Kern County, California. It includes continuous steam injection and cyclic steam wells. The most recent Project Approval Letter (PAL) was issued on 06/29/2012, and the most recent non-expansion infill package was approved on 07/30/2024. There are no proposed changes to UIC Project #19024021.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 3 permits for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (C5640) to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Cymric/McKittrick Oil Field.
API 0403067323 Well Name McKittrick Fee 3865
API 0402943353 Well Name Del Monte 433
API 0403029158 Well Name McKittrick Fee 3920ST
Contact Information
Name
Mila Galevski
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Staff Service Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
22E
Section
08
Other Location Info
Field Cymric
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, 14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is a repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and will not involve an expansion of use of the oil field, and therefore is exempt from the need for full CEQA review. 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. The proposed work involves altering the existing casing and/or wellhead of an existing wellbore in order to address potential integrity issues and restore productivity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 19024021, as permitted by the project approval letter (PAL).
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, 14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because it 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.” The proposed work will be conducted on existing wellbores, located on existing well pads. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 19024021, as permitted by the project approval letter (PAL).
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2
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.”) The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an active oil field. The reworks would not expand the facilities.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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