663429_CREH_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025031339
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
663429_CREH_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/28/2025
Document Description
CREH proposes to rework 385X-31R, API# 0403056366, an existing oil and gas wells located in the Asphalto Oilfield. The well is located on private lands with private minerals. The reworks consist of an emergency casing repair activities in the same zone. The proposed reworks fall under Group B of CalGEM’s rework exemptions guidance document published in December 2023. The proposed reworks will take approximately 7 to 10 days to complete each rework.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving a permit for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to rework the well listed below, in the Asphalto Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0403056366 385X-31R
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Elk Hills, LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
23E
Section
31
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Asphalto
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of an existing previously permitted well involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The well would maintain its existing well type and the use of the well would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (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[.]” Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, “Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The proposed project is the rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to remediate known casing holes. The rework will be on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. 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.” The rework would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8 (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions apply. The exemptions are for 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.” As demonstrated in the record, the proposed project involves remedial/rework operations to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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