661824_HWOC_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025070057
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
661824_HWOC_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/1/2025
Document Description
Holmes Western Oil Corporation (HWOC) proposes to convert existing O&G well Santiago Creek Unit K-7 into a temperature observation well in the lower Tulare. Construction related activities are not required. All equipment will be contained within existing facilities and there will be no expansion of existing former use.
Contact Information
Name
Ray Mullins
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Scott Grodewald
Agency Name
Holmes Western Oil Company (H5200)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Township
11N
Range
23W
Section
21
Base
SB
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 categorical exemption (14 CCR § 15301) 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 a 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 proposed rework activity has been deemed negligible because a district engineer has confirmed that converting to temperature observation well will require less servicing and maintenance and without any way to increase capacity. These are negligible changes that would not result in significant impacts to surface or subsurface conditions. The converted well will have substantially less use than the existing well type.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
The Class 4 categorical exemption is applicable as 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 proposed project involves converting one oil and gas well production well into a temperature observation well. The proposed drill activities and associated temporary equipment will be contained within the existing well pad. The proposed activities will not expand the well pad, existing roads, staging area, and pipelines. 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. The proposed project area is surrounded by land use consistent with industrial facilities on a densely developed oil field, with leases on relatively flat, open area and 100% disturbed.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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