705146_SPR_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025060459
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
705146_SPR_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/11/2025
Document Description
SPR proposes to rework the existing Sunset WD-11 well located in the Midway-Sunset Oilfield. The project will include: Identifying depth of shallow casing holes, Installing an inner casing string to protect the squeeze integrity. Work will require a production rig to pull/run tubing, squeeze the casing holes with cement, and install an inner casing string. Deliveries are limited to casing, logging, and water. All travel to/from the project location will occur on established roadways. The speed limit while on SPR property is 15 mph. Dust is controlled via water trucks pursuant to SPR’s Dust Control Plan. The project is estimated to take 5 days to complete with 10-hour per day operations. The existing well pad can accommodate all associated equipment, materials storage, and operations including deliveries and personnel parking. Any undisturbed vegetation will be avoided, and all work will occur on the existing disturbed pad only. Freshwater requirements are less than 100 barrels per well to mix the cement used for squeezing the casing holes and installing the inner casing string. Water will be supplied by the West Kern Water District from a local meter on the lease. No new pumps, facilities, or flowlines will be installed. Storage, transmission, and injection of water will be handled utilizing existing infrastructure. This work is designed to support continuation of resource development and management in the area. All operations will take place in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations including those pertaining to the protection of the environment.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC to rework the well listed below, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0403062277 Unspecified WD-11
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Thomas Cruise
Agency Name
Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
11N
Range
23W
Section
18
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The "Class 1" (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM's regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of an existing previously permitted well involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The well would maintain its existing well type and the use of the well would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because it consists of "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[.]" Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, "Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or & "facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity." The proposed project is the rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore. The rework will be on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. Therefore, the proposed project "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 rework would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8 (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions apply. The exemptions are for actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by law to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource or the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment. As demonstrated in the record, the proposed project involves remedial/rework operations to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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