668323_Group_PG&E_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2025050186
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
668323_Group_PG&E_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would drill four new gas storage wells. The proposed work includes directional drilling to the bottom hole location approximately 5400 feet below surface. New casing would be installed and cemented to surface. Wellheads, production liners, gravel packs, tubing strings, and packers would be installed. All equipment would be staged and operated within the existing facility footprint and existing roadways would be used for access. This includes all ancillary equipment which may be required such as pump trucks, vac trucks, and casing storage. No new permanent facilities will be constructed, and no expansion of associated facilities or roadways will be required.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving four permits for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to drill the wells listed below, in the McDonald Island Gas Field.
API # Well Name
N/A Whiskey Slough 15E
N/A Whiskey Slough 16E
N/A Whiskey Slough 17E
N/A Whiskey Slough 18E
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
Brian Wong
Agency Name
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
San Joaquin
Regions
Northern California
Township
02N
Range
04E
Section
25
Base
MD
Other Location Info
McDonald Island Gas 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.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) This includes “publicly-owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services.” (14 CCR 15301(b).) The proposed project would drill four gas storage wells in the existing McDonald Island Gas Storage facility. These are minor alterations to the facility in order to continue to provide public utility services. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the approved UGS project 45200001. The wells would not change the existing use of the gas storage facility and would not substantially increase gas injection or withdrawal rates.
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 minor alterations to the surrounding environment. The project would not require the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. The four wells would be drilled on an existing well pad that can be accessed by existing roads. The well pad area is 11 acres and is large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment. Therefore, there would be no significant surface disturbance that could impact the surrounding environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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