637496_Group_CREH_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025050473
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
637496_Group_CREH_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/12/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would sidetrack and deepen four oil and gas production wells to continue resource development in the Buena Vista oil field. The proposed work includes placing abandonment cement plugs, perforating casing, installing new conductors, drilling, and cementing casing. The wells are completed in the Antelope Shale-West Dome formation and would complete in the same formation. The Antelope formation is a known hydrocarbon zone that is currently in production. There would be no expansion of the existing well pads, roads, staging areas, or pipelines. No new grading would occur in any undisturbed areas. No new road construction or expansions would be required for the proposed project. 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 four permits for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to perform sidetrack work on the wells listed below, in the Buena Vista Oil Field.
API # Well Name
Unspecified 523-9D 0402964500
Unspecified 553-27B 0402901950
Unspecified 624X-5D 0403046410
Unspecified 636H-25B 0403044014
Contact Information
Name
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Elk Hills, LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
32S
Range
24E
Base
09
Other Location Info
Buena Vista 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
The “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of an existing previously permitted well involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The wells would maintain their existing well type and the use of the wells would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because it consists of “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, “Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity.” The proposed project is the sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbores which is needed to continue resource development. The sidetracked wells will be located on the same sites and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the wells did before the sidetracks. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on existing pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within a densely developed oil field. Therefore, the proposed project “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 sidetracks would not expand the facility. The proposed project and related approval would be 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
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.