685470_Group_Chevron_UIC
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025050467
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
685470_Group_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/12/2025
Document Description
The sidetracking of three existing wells involves sidetracking into an existing completion zone and perforating each casing. The proposed project duration is four days and will occur within an active Lost Hills Oilfield.
API # Well Name
0403028553 5-12W
0403027101 3-5UW
0403029813 4-10W
Contact Information
Name
Char'Mane Robinson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
26S
Range
21E
Section
29
Base
MD
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 applies to the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration” of existing facilities involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously.” (§ 1684.1) The proposed Project is sidetracking three existing wells in the Lost Hills field. The proposed sidetrack activities will maintain an existing level of service and operations. The well will return to the same operations as historical operations. These sidetracks will use temporary equipment, such as a workover rig, confirmed to fit within the existing wellpad. This proposed Project is a minor alteration involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond previously existing. CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the use of the well and capacity of the operation are limited by the existing permits for UIC project code 432-00-024. The engineering summary indicates the proposed work is within the scope of those approvals.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the rework of the well could be considered “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. The proposed project is sidetracking three existing wells needed to continue resource development. The sidetracked wells will be located on the same existing wellpad. This will maintain the well's existing service and operations and return it to its historical operations. CalGEM engineer has reviewed the existing UIC permit 432-00-024 and confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the UIC project, and the existing permit limits the use of the well and its capacity.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the rework “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 proposed project involves sidetracking three existing wells into an existing zone. The proposed drilling activities and associated temporary equipment will be contained within the existing wellpad. The proposed activities will not expand the well pads, roads, staging areas, and pipelines. Once completed, the wells will continue to operate using the existing infrastructure. There will be no new production facilities or grading, so there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources, as the project will not disturb undisturbed areas.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions (14 CCR §§ 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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