618028_CREH_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025030752
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
618028_CREH_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/19/2025
Document Description
CREH proposes to rework 623-26B, an existing oil and gas well located in the Buena Vista area. The proposed rework is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The rework consists of adding perforations. The proposed rework will take approximately 7 to 10 days to complete.
Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, workover rig and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to/from the site. No production facilities and no new ground surface disturbance will be associated with the rework. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The proposed rework is located on existing, maintained well pads within the Buena Vista Hills Oilfield. Reworked well will fit into existing infrastructure. Existing operations are comprised of existing wells, single and multi-well pads and support oil and gas infrastructure, such as production pipelines, powerlines, access roads, production facilities and non-oil and gas facilities such as the Kern County Landfill. The undisturbed areas within the Oilfield contain scattered areas of saltbush scrub and non-native grassland habitat. The rework activities will not require new disturbance.
API # Well Name:
0403063565 Unspecified 623-26B
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
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Elk Hills, LLC (C0880)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
31S
Range
23E
Section
26
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Buena Vista 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, ore topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. Conduct biological pre-activity survey 30 days prior to the start of work; confirm that no wildlife is present. If none, proceed with work. If present, contact CRC HSE to implement wildlife protocols. After wildlife concerns are addressed, proceed with work. Pull existing Production equipment. Selectively perforate from 4042’ to 6322’ within the current Monterey Antelope Shale Formation. Run production equipment. Return to production.
Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be 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[.]” No permanent facilities will be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities will be required. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be 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
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 industrial area. Therefore, 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.” No permanent facilities will be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities will be required. There will not be new ground surface disturbance associated with this project.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.