676207_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025080003
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
676207_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/1/2025
Document Description
The Primary work objective is to sidetrack 3 existing steamflood 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 proposed work discussed in this document is in the densely developed San Ardo Oil Field owned by Aera Energy, LLC. (“Aera”). Each of the wells [and facilities] within the Administrative Grouping will be among approximately 3,066 other wells within a 2.5 mile radius. Much of the oil and gas development in the San Ardo Oil Field occurred prior to Aera’s ownership in 1997. The operations are expected to take approximately 17 operational days to complete all construction phases.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Holland-Ford
Agency Name
Dept of Conservation, CalGEM
Job Title
Associate Oila nd Gas Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Operator Agent
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Southern California
Township
23S
Range
10E
Section
12
Base
MD
Other Location Info
lat 35.94340897 long -120.84980774
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 Docusign Envelope ID: C69206D6-A876-4139-9013-9B1952742D7 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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