693811_Group_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025050486
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
693811_Group_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/12/2025
Document Description
Proposed Project:
Chevron proposes to rework 10 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Kern River Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. Due to the proximity of wells to each other in an already disturbed densely developed and active Kern River Oilfield they are grouped in this application. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 400 barrels, each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well.
UIC Project #34000013 is a steamflood project in the Kern River Reservoir, Kern River Oil Field, Kern County, California. It includes continuous steam injection and cyclic steam wells. The most recent Project Approval Letter (PAL) was issued on 11/05/2002, and the most recent non-expansion infill package was approved on 07/25/2023. There are no proposed changes to UIC Project #34000013.
Key Considerations Summary:
· Work locations will be accessed using existing access roads
· New road construction or improvement will not be needed
· The work will occur on existing well pads
· All equipment will be staged within the project boundary on existing well pads and access roads
Grading in undisturbed will not occur in any phase of the work
· The work will use existing electrical lines
· The work will re-use, repair, or re-installation of various above-ground piping to connect well sites to existing infrastructure.
· New infrastructure will not be constructed as a result of the work
· All waste from the project will be handled per state and county regulations
· This work is designed to support continuation of resource development in the area. No additional facilities or equipment will be required beyond that described in this application
· The zone of completion for the proposed is a known hydrocarbon zone is not exploratory
· The work will not change the zone of completion or pool of any wells
· The work will not result in a change in purpose or capacity of any wells
· The work will not result in a change in well type of any wells
· The work does not occur within an artificial island
· The work will comply with updated CalGEM regulations
· There are not sensitive receptors within the project area
· There are not sensitive plant or wildlife species within the project area
Project Location:
The project is in unincorporated Kern County, is not within City limits and does not extend beyond designated oil field boundary. The project locations are located on a relatively flat, open area and 100% disturbed in a densely developed, existing oil field. No change to the surface is included in the proposed work. The proposed location boundaries for work will encompass an area of 100’ x 200’ (20,000 square feet or 0.47 acres) each.
Environmental Setting:
The current existing land use (and surrounding land use) of the proposed project is an active oil field consisting of oil and gas wells.
Best Management Practices:
Biological review – no impacts to wildlife are anticipated. Chevron will conduct a pre-execution survey prior to work commencing. No impact to cultural and paleontological resources are expected to occur.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 10 permit(s) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron) to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Kern River Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0402970850 Unspecified 3981
0402970841 Unspecified 3784
0402970807 Unspecified 3384
0402944555 Unspecified 4-8
0402972140 Unspecified 3465
0403024353 Junction 119
0402956712 Aladdin 14
0402926947 May 19
0402930480 Junction 26
0402987960 Gold Standard 31
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
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
29S
Range
28E
Section
03
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Kern River;
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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