711519_34000013_Group_Chevron_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025070314
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
711519_34000013_Group_Chevron_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/8/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 16 existing wells in the existing and heavily developed Kern River Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. Due to the proximity of wells to each other in an already disturbed densely developed and active Kern River Oilfield they are grouped in this application. All perforations will be within the existing completion zone. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 400 barrels, each well. The work will not increase the depth of any well. The project is in unincorporated Kern County, is not within City limits and does not extend beyond designated oil field boundary. The project locations are located on a relatively flat, open area and 100% disturbed in a densely developed, existing oil field. No change to the surface is included in the proposed work. The proposed location boundaries for work will encompass an area of 100’ x 200’ (20,000 square feet or 0.47 acres) each.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 2 permits for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to rework the wells listed below, in the Kern River Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0402958919 Unspecified 313
0403067842 Unspecified 129R
0402953983 Rasmussen 113
0402977690 Unspecified 732
0402976365 Unspecified 7424
0402974595 Unspecified 7323
0403035050 Green & Whittier A 347
0402960722 Green & Whittier 205
0403029456 Green & Whittier 99R
0403034054 Clarence 59
0403034031 Hanford & Fresno 55
0402961565 Unspecified 7-30A
0402940664 Unspecified 6-30
0403042861 20th Century 39
0402955179 Junction 75
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
29S
Range
28E
Section
04
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Kern River
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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