502874_Aera_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025030720
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
502874_Aera_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/18/2025
Document Description
The project would sidetrack one oil and gas production well into the Tulare production zone. The well would be deepened from total depth (TD) 438' to 950'. Work includes cleaning out the well, setting the abandonment cement plug, cutting and recovering all casing strings, installing new conductor and casing, drilling the sidetrack, cementing casing, and gravel packing slots. There will be no expansion of the existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas. No new road construction or improvements would be required for the proposed project. Routine maintenance activities at the site would include removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving one permit for Aera Energy LLC to rework the well listed below, in the South Belridge Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403003809 DTR 12RAA-34
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
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
28S
Range
21E
Section
34
Base
MD
Other Location Info
South Belridge 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 it would make minor alterations to an existing well involving negligible change in use. 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.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) The proposed project would sidetrack an existing oil and gas production well. The well would recomplete in the same zone and would remain an oil and gas well with substantially the same production capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 05200010, and the project would be a continuation of operations as permitted by the PAL. The work would deepen the total depth of the well, however the well is completed in the Tulare zone and would complete in the same zone. The Tulare zone is a known hydrocarbon zone that is currently in production. Therefore, any modifications to the existing use would be negligible.
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 or Reconstruction exemption because it would reconstruct the wellbore of an existing well in order to sidetrack. 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 project work includes cleaning out the well, setting the abandonment cement plug, cutting and recovering all casing strings, installing new conductor and casing, drilling the sidetrack, cementing casing, and gravel packing slots. The project would take place on an existing well pad. The well would recomplete in the same zone and would remain an oil and gas well with substantially the same production capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 05200010, and the project would be a continuation of operations as permitted by the PAL. The work would deepen the total depth of the well, however the well is completed in the Tulare zone and would complete in the same zone. The Tulare zone is a known hydrocarbon zone that is currently in production. Therefore, any modifications to the existing use would be negligible.
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 it would involve minimal surface disturbance that could significantly impact 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 § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304.) The project would take place on an existing well pad which is large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and can be accessed by existing roads. The project would not require the expansion of existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas. No new road construction or improvements would be required for the proposed project. The project includes routine maintenance activities at the site involving the removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance, however this would take place on previously disturbed areas in a developed oil field.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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