643833_Group_Berry_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025061018
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
643833_Group_Berry_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/20/2025
Document Description
Berry Petroleum Company, LLC proposes to sidetrack a total of 19 existing Oil & Gas production wells in the existing and heavily developed South Belridge Oil Field to continue oil and gas resource development. The project will involve drilling and completing sidetrack wellbores and returning the wells to production within the Tulare zone.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 19 permits for Berry Petroleum Company, LLC to perform sidetrack work on the well listed below, in the South Belridge Oil Field.
WellSTAR
Form IDWell Name API
643833 HILL 525K ST1 0403030633
643826 HILL 251AR ST1 0403026605
643827 HILL 432F ST1 0403020378
643828 HILL 433E ST1 0403020377
643829 HILL 434 ST1 0402984588
643831 HILL 451K ST1 0403018069
643832 HILL 452E ST1 0403017620
643835 HILL 543B ST1 0403022994
643836 HILL 544 ST1 0403022641
643839 HILL 551A ST1 0403026604
643840 HILL 560A ST1 0403029309
643841 HILL 563H ST1 0403022952
643842 HILL 571 ST1 0403029310
643844 HILL 632H ST1 0403047981
643847 HILL 641A ST1 0403041634
643848 HILL 743C ST1 0403064003
643849 HILL 744G ST1 0403064036
643851 HILL 745K ST1 0403064008
513018 HILL 133W ST1 0402961405
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Ryan Nelson
Agency Name
Berry Petroleum Company, LLC (Berry)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
28S
Range
21E
Section
19
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Belridge, South
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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