533484_Group_CREH_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050291
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
533484_Group_CREH_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/7/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would sidetrack seven existing oil and gas production wells in order to continue resource development. The proposed work includes placing cement plugs, installing new conductors, drilling, cementing casing, and perforating. The wells are completed in the SOZ formation and would be completed in the same zone. The SOZ formation is a known hydrocarbon zone that is currently in production. The wells would not be deepened. The proposed work would not modify UIC project 22800007. The project would be located in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) would result. There would be no expansion of the existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas. Routine maintenance activities at the site would 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 seven permit(s) for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to sidetrack the wells listed below, in the Elk Hills Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0402956685 Unspecified 85-29S
0403020999 Unspecified 62W-4G
0403030783 Unspecified 53X-29S
0403030784 Unspecified 74X-29S
0403031511 Unspecified 34NW-29S
0403048918 Unspecified 82W-17G
0403049197 Unspecified 64-29S
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
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Elk Hills, LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
24E
Section
29
Base
MB
Other Location Info
Elk Hills Oil 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.” This includes “remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the 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 proposed project would make minor alterations to the wells, resulting in negligible expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 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[.]” (14 CCR § 15302.) The proposed project would reconstruct the casing and wellbores of existing wells. The work would take place on the existing wellbores and well pads. The proposed work involves negligible change in use of the wells. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
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 negligible or no vegetation removal, expansion of the existing well pads, or ground disturbance. Therefore, there would be no surface disturbance related activities that would significantly disturb the surrounding environment. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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