670744_Chevron_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025040605
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
670744_Chevron_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/11/2025
Document Description
Chevron USA Inc. proposes to rework an existing well. The purpose is to repair the casing of a well. The well is located on private land and has federal mineral ownership. The well will operate within the existing completion zone and continue to operate consistent with past and current use. No expansion of use or modification from earlier permit will occur. Water used during the rework operation will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 300 barrels. The work will not increase the depth of any well. The proposed rework falls under Group B of CalGEM’s rework exemptions guidance document published in December 2023. Proposed rework activity will take approximately 3 days.
Potential work activities include conducting casing integrity (CIT) tests, if CIT fails, straddle test casing to identify casing hole depths and leak/injection rate, setting retrievable bridge plugs, changing out wellhead if deemed necessary, repairing the casing, and testing the blowout prevention units. If damage is found, a tieback may be performed. Perform new CIT, return well to operation. Existing Zone: Lodo-Gatchell Sand, Target Zone: Lodo-Gatchell Sand.
Temporary equipment to be used includes, but not limited to, a workover rig, crew room, and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to and from the work site. No 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 Fresno County, is not within City limits and does not extend beyond designated oil field boundary.
The project location is flat, 100% disturbed, and located within 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 boundary for work will encompass an area of 100’ x 200’ (20,000 square feet or 0.47 acres). The work will not expand the well pad, roads, staging areas or pipeline. No new facilities will be constructed. Upon completion, the well will continue to utilize the existing facilities it currently uses. All equipment will be staged within the project boundary on an existing well pad and utilizing existing access roads. The current existing land use (and surrounding land use) of the proposed project is an active oil field consisting of oil and gas wells.
Biological review – no impacts to wildlife are anticipated. The well is located entirely within the existing well pad, with no expansion required. Chevron will conduct a pre-activity survey prior to work commencing. No impacts to cultural and paleontological resources are expected to occur. The rework will not result in the change of existing use or existing facilities. Other potential environmental impacts – none, since no new disturbance is proposed. The project is located on property operated by Chevron in Fresno County. Fresno County does not issue permits for oil and gas wells.
API: 0401904617 Well Name: 46
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
Fresno
Regions
Statewide
Cross Streets
Fresno, Coalinga, East, Extension
Township
20S
Range
16E
Section
18
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Oil Field Coalinga
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 wellhead of an existing wellbore 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 15203008, 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 an existing wellbore, located on an existing well pad. The project will not expand operations or change the existing use of the well. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 15203008, 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 rework would not expand the facilities.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR § 15307
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and 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.” The proposed project involves remedial/rework activities to address a known well integrity issue that requires swift action for the protection of natural resources and the environment.
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.