667265_Group_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050045
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
667265_Group_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/1/2025
Document Description
Aera Energy LLC (Aera) proposes to sidetrack 2 existing cyclic steam wells to restore to original functionality. The work is designed to support the continuation of oil and gas resource development in the area. The project includes partial abandonment of the existing damaged wellbores, sidetrack drilling and subsurface completion of the wells in accordance with California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) regulations, and re-installation of various aboveground piping and equipment to connect the well sites to the existing infrastructure. The wells will operate within the existing completion zone and continue to operate consistent with past and current use.
The proposed project consists of CalGEM approving 2 permits for Aera to perform sidetrack work on the wells listed below, in the South Belridge Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0403006929 Ellis 1-2R-19
0402984047 Ellis 1-3R-19
Contact Information
Name
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide, Statewide
Township
28S
Range
21E
Section
19
Base
MD
Other Location Info
South Belridge Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing previously permitted wells involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The wells would maintain their existing well type, cyclic steam, and the use of the wells would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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[.]” Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, “Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The proposed project is the sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbores which is needed to restore the wells to original functionality. The sidetracked wells will be located on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the wells did before the sidetrack. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on existing pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. Therefore, the proposed project “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 sidetracks would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15307, 15308
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 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.” As demonstrated in the record, the sidetracks involve remedial/rework activities to address well integrity issues that require swift action for protection of natural resources and the environment.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to the Exemptions: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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.
A copy of this NOE (as required by 14 CCR § 15062(a)) and all other related materials can be made available to the public by contacting the CalGEM CEQA Program, located at 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814; by calling (916) 445-9686; or an electronic copy of these documents may be requested by contacting CEQA@conservation.ca.gov. The notice filed with the State Clearinghouse may be accessed online at: https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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