NOE_477010_Group_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025041067
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
NOE_477010_Group_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/22/2025
Document Description
The primary work objective is to sidetrack 4 existing cyclic steam well(s) to restore them to their original functionality. This work is designed to support continuation of oil and gas resource development in the area. The wells are not being sidetracked (i) for abandonment purposes only or (ii) in connection with an enforcement order to mitigate or prevent environmental damage or surface expression.
Currently the wells proposed for sidetracking are damaged to the extent that their functionality has been impaired and cannot be repaired; therefore, the purpose of the sidetrack is to remediate existing damage on these wells and restore their functionality. The potential disturbance footprint would encompass an existing 20,000 square foot (100 ft x 200 ft) well pad per well. The entirety of this work would be in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) would result. There will be no expansion of the existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas. No new road construction or improvements would be required for the proposed project. Routine maintenance activities at the site would include removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance.
The wells are located near the unincorporated community of Taft in Kern County, California and is on real property known and designated by Kern County as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers [APNs] 183-200-02, and 183-200-01 (consisting of an approximately 1.84-acre portion of the subject property).
The subject property is currently owned and managed by Aera Energy. The proposed project area (referred herein as the “project site”) consists of a fully operational active oil field named Midway Sunset Oil Field (MWOF). The subject wells are among approximately 34,585 other wells within the oilfield. The subject property is located on a relatively flat, open area in a dry region of the southern San Joaquin Valley. The topography of the area is typically comprised of low-lying hills, agricultural fields, and sparse vegetation, surrounded by fully industrial oil and gas development.
The work will commence after CalGEM permit approval. The time of year the work would occur is dependent on the date of final CalGEM permit approval. For a single well, it is expected to take approximately 17 operational days to complete all construction phases.
Construction activities would generally include the following phases:
Partial abandonment of existing damaged wellbore - zonal abandonment of well to be sidetracked in accordance with CalGEM abandonment requirements.
Site preparation - site location work on existing well pads to create safe work site for personnel and environment.
Sidetrack drilling (construction) of the well - sidetracking operations in accordance with CalGEM regulations including adding perforations. Well completion-subsurface completion of well in accordance with CalGEM regulations. Final site surface construction - re-installation of various aboveground piping and equipment to connect well sites to the existing infrastructure.
All work during the project phases, except for the drilling phase, will occur during the work week, Monday through Friday, from approximately from 6 am to 5 pm. The drilling rig will operate 24 hours per day. The construction activities will not include installation of new pipelines or infrastructure. No new ground disturbance would occur. The proposed construction activities would use existing electrical lines. The proposed construction activities would involve a combination of re-use, repair, or re-installation of various above-ground piping to connect subject well sites to the existing infrastructure. Perforations will be added within existing formations so the pool designation will not change.
API # Well Name:
0403000084 AG-69L
0402977282 AG-F13
0403026164 AG-G112
0402975172 AG-K18
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
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
306 ft S and 2450 ft W from the NE section corner
Township
31S
Range
22E
Section
21
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Oil Field 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 wellhead of existing wellbores to address integrity issues and restore productivity. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 46400008, 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 46400008, 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 known well integrity issues that requires swift action for the protection of natural resources and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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