644906_Group_Berry_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050161
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
644906_Group_Berry_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/5/2025
Document Description
Berry Petroleum Company, LLC (Berry) proposes to sidetrack five existing wells to support the continuation of oil and gas resource development in the area. The project includes preparation of the existing well pads, connection to existing electrical lines, installation of various above-ground piping to connect the well sites to existing infrastructure, sidetracking the wells, and returning the wells to injection and production. As indicated by the project applicant, the entirety of this project is in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) is included in the project design. The well pads would be able to accommodate all associated equipment and operations, and there would be no disturbance to previously undisturbed areas. Downhole activities would include drilling, cleaning the wellbores, setting and cementing casing, and completion of the wells in the target formation. Regular operations at the site include removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving five permits for Berry to sidetrack the wells listed below, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Kern County.
API # Well Name
0403042055 Alpine 1225H
0403032299 Alpine 390H
0403033311 Alpine 410H
0403039074 Alpine 1150H
0403068976 Big Ten 425H
Contact Information
Name
Ryan Nelson
Agency Name
Berry Petroleum Company, LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
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
32S
Range
23E
Section
36
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset 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 project is exempt under the Class 1, Existing Facilities exemption because the project would make minor changes to existing wells involving no expansion of the existing use of the wells. Class 1 exemption consists of operation, repair, maintenance, or 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. This includes “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 project consists of sidetracking five existing wells and returning the wells to injection and production. As indicated by the project applicant, the existing well pads would be able to accommodate all associated equipment and operations, and there would be no disturbance to previously undisturbed areas. No expansion is proposed. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 46400185 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the project approval letter (PAL). Therefore, the proposed project would not change the existing facilities and would not expand the existing use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 exemption applies because it 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[.]” Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, “[r]eplacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” (14 CCR § 15302.) The proposed project is the sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbores for five existing wells, which is needed to restore the wells to original functionality. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC project 46400185 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC project as permitted by the PAL. Therefore, the proposed project would consist of sidetrack work on the same sites and would not change the capacity of the wells.
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. 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 sidetrack work would be conducted entirely on existing pads, and as indicated by the project applicant, the existing well pads would be able to accommodate all associated equipment and operations, and there would be no disturbance to previously undisturbed areas. No expansion is proposed. The proposed project is located within a developed oil field. Therefore, the proposed project would result in only minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.
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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