669696_Group_Thums_PA
Summary
SCH Number
2025051191
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
669696_Group_Thums_PA
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/27/2025
Document Description
THUMS proposes to abandon four idle existing oil and gas wells within Wilmington Oil Field. The abandonment entails removing existing equipment, cleaning the well out as deep as possible and plugging the well with cement.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving four permits for THUMS Long Beach Co. (T2900) to abandon the wells listed below, in the Wilmington Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0423720052 A-709
0423720237 A-664
0423722215 A-667
0423723441 A-834 I
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
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
THUMS Long Beach Co. (T2900)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Township
05S
Range
12W
Section
07
Base
SB
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, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): 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 to abandon four existing production wells in the Wilmington field. This proposal involves removing existing equipment, cleaning out the wells, and plugging with cement to abandon the four wells. The abandonments 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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): 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.” This abandonment only involves reconstructing to abandon four existing production wells by removing equipment, cleaning out the wells, and plugging with cement. The proposal does not involve any changes to the well's structures (the wellbores).
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): 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 abandon is intended to maintain the current level of service and will not involve expanding the facility or operations. The proposed activities and temporary equipment will be contained within the existing well pads. As a result, there will be no new ground disturbances. There are no expected impacts on biological resources as the proposed Project will not disturb undisturbed areas.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions (14 CCR §§ 15300.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Exceptions to Exemptions: 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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