676222_CRPC_OG_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050221
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
676222_CRPC_OG_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/6/2025
Document Description
California Resources Production Corporation (CRPC) proposes to sidetrack one existing oil & gas well 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 wellbore, sidetrack drilling and subsurface completion of the well 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 site to the existing infrastructure. The well would continue to operate consistent with past and current use. There would be no expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas.
The proposed project consists of CalGEM approving a permit for CRPC to sidetrack the well listed below, in the Mount Poso Oil Field in Kern County.
API # Well Name
0403022076 Security 83C
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Production Corporation
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
27S
Range
28E
Section
16
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Mount Poso 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 an existing well involving no expansion of the existing use of the well. 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 one existing oil & gas well and returning the well to production. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are proposed. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC projects 48815017 and 48815061 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC projects as permitted by the project approval letters (PALs). 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 wellbore which is needed to restore the well to original functionality. According to a CalGEM engineer, the proposed work is within the scope of UIC projects 48815017 and 48815061 and would be a continuation of operations within the confines of the UIC projects as permitted by the PALs. Therefore, the proposed project would consist of sidetrack work on the same site and would not change the capacity of the well.
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 an existing pad, and no expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines are 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
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.