689573_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050608
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
689573_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/14/2025
Document Description
Establish well integrity with liner and well-head upgrades.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Aera to rework the well listed below, in the South Belridge Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403000912 3-2-19
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC (Aera)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
28S
Range
21E
Section
19
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Belridge, South
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 well(s), 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 wellbore(s) of existing wells. The work would take place on the existing wellbore(s) 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, and 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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