649694_Hathaway_Group_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025040757
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
649694_Hathaway_Group_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/15/2025
Document Description
The proposed project consists of converting two oil and gas production wells to water disposal wells and to initiate water injection activities under UIC Project 48815062. This project will utilize existing roads, power lines, and production/ injection facilities. Existing pipelines will also be utilized, with tie-ins to the proposed new wells. No permanent facilities will be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities will be required. Various mobile temporary equipment will be used including, but not limited to, workover rig, etc. and vehicles to transport personnel and materials to/from the site. There will not be new ground surface disturbance associated with this project. Any waste materials will be properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving two permits for Hathaway LLC to rework the wells listed below, in the Mount Poso Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0402967529 Blackfoot 157
0402967509 B.N.B. 256
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Curtis Huge
Agency Name
Hathaway LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
28E
Range
26S
Section
32
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Mount Poso Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration 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 “remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the 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 proposed project would make minor alterations to wells, resulting in negligible expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The proposed project involves updating the existing project approval letter (PAL) and converting two existing oil and gas production wells, one idled, to injection within the scope of the revised PAL. The district engineers found that the conversions will not involve complicated modifications, deepening, or reconstruction of the wells and that well work will be minimal. District engineers and CalGEM CEQA staff determined that any environmental impacts of the proposed project would be negligible. The water board provided a letter of concurrence for the proposed project.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 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[.]” (14 CCR § 15302.) The proposed project would reconstruct the casing and wellbores of existing wells. The work would take place on existing wellbores and on existing well pads. The proposed project involves updating the existing project approval letter (PAL) and converting two existing oil and gas production wells, one idled, to injection within the scope of the revised PAL. The district engineers found that the conversions will not involve complicated modifications, deepening, or reconstruction of the wells and that well work will be minimal. District engineers and CalGEM CEQA staff determined that any environmental impacts of the proposed project would be negligible. The water board provided a letter of concurrence for the proposed project.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
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 project involves negligible or no vegetation removal, expansion of the existing well pads, or ground disturbance. Therefore, there would be no surface disturbance related activities that would significantly disturb the surrounding environment. The proposed project involves updating the existing project approval letter (PAL) and converting two existing oil and gas production wells, one idled, to injection within the scope of the revised PAL. The district engineers found that the conversions will not involve complicated modifications, deepening, or reconstruction of the wells and that well work will be minimal. District engineers and CalGEM CEQA staff determined that any environmental impacts of the proposed project would be negligible. The water board provided a letter of concurrence for the proposed project.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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