591523_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025070058
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
591523_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/1/2025
Document Description
The primary work objective is to sidetrack 1 existing water disposal injection well to remediate existing casing damage and restore the well to its original functionality. This work is designed to support continuation of oil and gas resource development in the area.
The subject property is currently owned and managed by Aera Energy. The proposed project area consists of a fully operational active oil field named San Ardo Oil Field. The subject wells are among approximately 3,066 other wells within the oilfield. The topography for the Site is flat to rolling hills. The surrounding land use within three miles of the work consists of densely developed oil fields. The project is expected to take approximately 17 days to complete. All operations will be conducted in well-developed and heavily traveled areas, primarily used for oil and gas extraction.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for Aera energy, LLC to sidetrack the well listed below, in the San Ardo Oil Field.
API #
Well Name
04-053-21484
“Hambey” 804-17
Contact Information
Name
Mykal Stoner
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, CA Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Oil and Gas Engineer
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
Monterey
Regions
Southern California
Township
23S
Range
11E
Section
17
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1):
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, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302):
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, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2):
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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15307
Reasons for Exemption
Classes 7 and 8, Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308):
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 sidetrack involving remedial/rework is to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 8, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 5308
Reasons for Exemption
Classes 7 and 8, Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308):
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 sidetrack involving remedial/rework is 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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