652816_Crimson_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025040166
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
652816_Crimson_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/3/2025
Document Description
Crimson Resource Management Corp. (Crimson) proposes a Supplemental Notice of Intention (NOI) to change the well type from Cyclic Steam to Oil & Gas. This well was drilled in 2012. This producer well is supported by 3 offset steam injectors. These injectors came online in 2012 and 2013 and have remained online since. The well has not been cyclic steamed since its initial drilling as it currently shows enhance oil recovery supported by these offset steam injectors. Cyclic steaming this well is not required at this time. Should this change and cyclic steaming is needed, Crimson will notify all appropriate agencies immediately and complete the necessary requirements to be able to do so.
This request does not require mechanical changes to the wellbore. This request does not require the use of any temporary equipment or personnel. No location modifications are needed for this request.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving a permit for Crimson to rework the well listed below, in the Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County.
API # Well Name
0403047375 Section 34 BT-R23
Contact Information
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Steve Nixon
Agency Name
Crimson Resource Management Corp.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Statewide
Township
25S
Range
20E
Section
34
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Lost Hills Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project would make minor changes to an existing well involving no expansion of the existing use of the well. Class 1 exemption consists of operation, repair, maintenance, or 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. This includes “alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair, removal or replacement; installation or removal of downhole production or injection equipment, cement plugs, bridge plugs, and packers set to isolate production or injection intervals.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) The project consists of changing the well type of an existing well from cyclic steam to oil & gas production. This project does not require mechanical changes to the wellbore, nor does it require the use of any temporary equipment or personnel. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 43200041 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the project approval letter (PAL). Therefore, the proposed project would not change the existing facilities and would not expand the existing use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 exemption applies because it consists of the “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, “[r]eplacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” (14 CCR § 15302.) The project would include changing the well type of an existing well from cyclic steam to oil & gas. The project would not require mechanical changes to the wellbore, nor would it require the use of any temporary equipment or personnel. No additional construction will occur. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 43200041 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed project consists of rework activity on the same site and would not change the capacity of the well.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
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.” (14 CCR § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304.) The proposed rework to change the well type from cyclic steam to oil & gas would not require mechanical changes to the wellbore, nor would it require the use of any temporary equipment or personnel. No location modifications are needed for this request. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad, and no expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. The proposed project is located within a developed oil field. Therefore, the proposed project would result in only minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to the Exemptions: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15300.2
Reasons for Exemption
CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, there is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemptions is appropriate.
A copy of this NOE (as required by 14 CCR § 15062(a)) and all other related materials can be made available to the public by contacting the CalGEM CEQA Program, located at 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814; by calling (916) 445-9686; or an electronic copy of these documents may be requested by contacting CEQA@conservation.ca.gov. The notice filed with the State Clearinghouse may be accessed online at: https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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