State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project – Mountain View
Summary
SCH Number
2025060282
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project – Mountain View
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/6/2025
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the plug and abandonment (P&A) of 25 existing orphan wells in Kern County as part of CalGEM’s State Abandonment Program. The proposed work involves well abandonment and decommissioning tanks and other production-related facilities attendant to the wells, if present. For well abandonment, each well will be cleaned out and then plugged with cement and inert mud to surface. After abandonment, the well head will be removed, and any remaining well casings and surface conductors will be cut to just above the bay floor. Once the well bay is clean, it will have suitable fill placed and compacted. The well bay will be encapsulated with impermeable concrete to seal the bay area. These wells are situated on private lands, in both rural and urban areas.
CalGEM has approved a task order for its contractor to perform the proposed work on the wells listed below. Notices of Intention will be issued to the contractor for administrative purposes only and do not constitute a discretionary approval.
API # Lat, Lon
0402914583 35.2191, -118.8299
0402914591 35.2191, -118.8281
0402914576 35.2191, -118.8324
0402914581 35.2209, -118.8313
0402914587 35.2208, -118.8395
0402914595 35.2209, -118.8288
0402914574 35.2218, -118.8357
0402914575 35.2208, -118.8347
0402914553 35.2281, -118.8301
0402914582 35.2203, -118.8346
0402914578 35.2227, -118.8368
0402947968 35.2175, -118.842
0402914551 35.2245, -118.8298
0402914540 35.2246, -118.8326
0402914592 35.2231, -118.8311
0402914577 35.2173, -118.8301
0402914579 35.2173, -118.8323
0402914590 35.2173, -118.826
0402914580 35.2229, -118.8326
0402914593 35.2228, -118.8282
0402946852 35.2203, -118.8406
0402914552 35.2263, -118.8301
0402954044 35.221, -118.8264
0402914594 35.2191, -118.8261
0402914596 35.2209, -118.8412
Contact Information
Name
Greg Chittick
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Statewide
Other Location Info
Mountain View Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exemption applies as CalGEM’s regulations state: “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. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells…”. These abandonments could be considered a minor alteration to the existing facilities because the existing wells will be permanently sealed. After abandonment, the wells will cease to be used for oil and gas activities. Therefore, there would be no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7 and Class 8: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15307, 15308
Reasons for Exemption
Orphan wells, due to their inherent lack of maintenance and open pipe to potential reservoir pressure and fluids, present an increased risk for potential leaks that could affect and impact natural resources and environment in the area. In addition, because some of the wells are within 3,200 feet of residences, the increased risk of leaks of hazardous substances could negatively impact surrounding sensitive receptors. Orphan wells present an increased risk of leaks when compared to a properly abandoned well and therefore must be plugged and abandoned to minimize the potential threat of a release and subsequent impact. Abandonment of these orphan wells would ensure that risks from leaks and potential impacts to the natural resources and environment are minimized to the extent feasible, and therefore, the Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions are potentially applicable.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to the Exemptions: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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.
A copy of this NOE (as required by 14 CCR § 15062(a)) and all other related materials can be made available to the public by contacting the CalGEM CEQA Program, located at 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814; by calling (916) 445-9686; or an electronic copy of these documents may be requested by contacting CEQA@conservation.ca.gov. The notice filed with the State Clearinghouse may be accessed online at: https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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