678781_Group_Chevron_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025040194
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
678781_Group_Chevron_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/3/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 3 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Midway-Sunset 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 Midway-Sunset Oilfield they are being grouped together. Potential work activities include conducting casing integrity tests, setting retrievable bridge plugs, modifying or replacing the wellhead, adding perforations, repairing casings, and testing the blowout prevention units. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 750 barrels for each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well. UIC Project #46400058 is a Steamflood project in the Monarch (Spellacy) Zone, Midway Sunset Oil Field, Kern County, California. It includes continuous steam injection and cyclic steam wells. The most recent Project Approval Letter (PAL) was issued on 07/11/1974, and the most recent non-expansion infill package was approved 05/12/2022. There are no proposed changes to UIC Project #46400058.
Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins may be needed. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, backhoe, crane and rework rig, etc., and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to/from the site. No new production facilities or new ground disturbance will take place. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The project is in unincorporated Kern County, is not within City limits and does not extend beyond the designated oil field boundary. The project locations are located on a relatively flat, open area and 100% disturbed in a densely developed, existing oil field.
No change to the surface is included in the proposed work. No new grading and no
new disturbance will occur in any phase of the work. The proposed location boundaries for work will encompass an area of 100’ x 200’ (20,000 square feet or 0.47 acres) each. The work will not expand the use of well pads, roads, staging areas or pipeline. No new facilities will be constructed. Upon completion wells will continue to utilize the existing facilities it currently uses. All equipment will be staged within the project location boundary on existing well pads and access roads.
API: Well Name:
0403065098 Virginia 45
0403029625 Virginia 65B
0403063530 Virginia 66A
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
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
32S
Range
23E
Section
25
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset Oil field
Other Information
Midway-Sunset
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 involves altering the existing casing and/or wellheads of existing wellbores to address potential integrity issues and restore productivity. Additionally, a
CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of
operations within UIC Project 46400058, 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.” The proposed work will be conducted on existing wellbores, located on existing well pads. The project will not expand operations or change the existing use of the wells. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 46400058, 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 only in 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 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 active oil field. The reworks would not expand the facilities.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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