657809_Group_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025020837
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
657809_Group_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/24/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 4 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Kern River Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. Due to the proximity of wells to each other in an already disturbed densely developed and active Kern River Oilfield they are grouped in this application. Work will include conducting a casing integrity test followed by potentially setting a bridge plug, testing of the blowout prevention unit, changing out the wellhead, adding perforations, and/or setting and/or removing a retrievable bridge plug. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 400 barrels for each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well.
Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be utilized. Various mobile, temporary equipment will also be used including, but not limited to, backhoe, crane and rework rig, and vehicles to transport personnel and material to/from the site. No new production facilities or new ground disturbance will take place. All equipment will be staged within the project boundary on existing well pads and access roads. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The well is located within an active oil field.?
UIC Project #34000013 is a steamflood project in the Kern River Reservoir, Kern River Oil Field, Kern County, California. It includes continuous steam injection and cyclic steam wells. The most recent Project Approval Letter (PAL) was issued on 11/05/2002, and the most recent non-expansion infill package was approved on 07/25/2023. There are no proposed changes to UIC Project #34000013.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 4 permit(s) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (C5640) to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Kern River Oil Field.
API # 0402973304, Well Name: Green & Whittier 556
API # 0403052684, Well Name: Junction 135
API # 0403057208, Well Name: Junction 146
API # 0403057421, Well Name: Junction 147
Contact Information
Name
Maggie Harrington
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Staff Services 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
28S
Range
28E
Section
31
Other Location Info
Kern River Oil Field
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 consists of altering the existing casings, specifically adding perforations, of existing wellbores in order to restore productivity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project #34000013, as permitted by the 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. The new perforations will be added to an existing completion zone. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project #34000013, as permitted by the 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 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 would be conducted entirely on existing pads 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 would not expand any facilities.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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