690053_Group_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025060235
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
690053_Group_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/5/2025
Document Description
The proposed project involves removing the existing liner, deepening the wellbore, and replacing the existing liner and gravel pack for existing four oil and gas production wells using temporary equipment, such as a rework rig. The project duration is approximately six days.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic
Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving four permit(s) for Aera Energy LLC
(A0610) to deepen the wells listed below, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403011503 Pru 309
0403011505 Pru 311
0403012405 Pru 349
0403012406 Pru 350
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
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
32S
Range
23E
Section
36
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 project involves deepening four oil and gas production wells by removing the existing liner, deepening the wellbore, replacing the liner, and packing gravel. The proposed work will not change the current use of the wells. The district engineer also confirmed that the proposed work will have no modifying effect on UIC PAL 464-00-0125.
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 involves reconstructing four oil and gas production wells by removing the existing liner, deepening the wellbore, replacing the existing liner, and packing gravel into an established zone to continue resource production. There will be no expansion of the existing structures and no construction of new facilities. CalGEM engineer has reviewed the existing UIC PAL 464-00-0125 and confirmed that the proposed work has no modifying effect on the UIC Project. Therefore, the work would not substantially change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
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 deepening four oil and gas production wells. 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 construction of new production facilities and no new grading. As a result, 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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