467499_Group_Chevron_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025040806
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
467499_Group_Chevron_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/16/2025
Document Description
The proposed project is to test casings of three existing wells and possibly repair by squeezing cement, selectively add perforations in the same zone, and rework the wells which include one injection and two steam flood wells converting into three oil and gas production wells using temporary equipment, such as a rework rig.
Contact Information
Name
Char'Mane Robinson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
22E
Section
06
Base
MD
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 applies to the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously” (§ 1684.1). The proposed project involves converting one injection well and two steam flood wells into three oil and gas production wells. The proposed activities are deemed negligible because a district engineer has confirmed that converting to production wells will require less servicing and maintenance and will not increase capacity. In addition, the proposed work consists of testing, cementing, and perforating casing in the same zone. These are negligible changes that would not result in significant impacts to surface or subsurface conditions. The district engineer also confirmed that the proposed work will have no modifying effect on UIC project 19024021. Therefore, the conversions would be a negligible change in use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the rework of the well could be considered “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.” The proposed project includes reconstructing one injection well and two steam flood existing wells into three oil and gas production wells by testing, cementing, and perforating casing in the same zone to continue resource production. There will be no expansion of the existing structures and no construction of new facilities. CalGEM engineer has reviewed the existing UIC PAL 190-24-021 and confirmed that the proposed work has no modifying effect on the UIC Project. Therefore, the work would not substantially change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the rework “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 proposed project involves converting one injection well and two steam flood wells into three oil and gas production wells. The proposed drilling activities and associated temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. The proposed activities will not expand the well pads, roads, staging areas, and pipelines. Once completed, the wells will continue to operate using the existing infrastructure. There will be no construction of new production facilities and no new grading. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions (14 CCR §§ 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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