726130_Berry_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025080300
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
726130_Berry_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/7/2025
Document Description
Berry proposes to drill 1 well in the existing and heavily developed Midway-Sunset oil field to continue resource development. This project is in the densely developed Southwestern lease within the Midway-Sunset oil field. Drilling operations will begin by staging the drilling rig and support equipment on the established well pad. The existing well pads will be able to accommodate all associated drilling equipment and operations, including personnel parking. The entirety of this project is in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) is included in the project design. Downhole activities would include drilling, cleaning the wellbore, setting and cementing casing and completion of the well in the target formation.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for Berry Petroleum Company, LLC to drill 1 new well, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0403069922 Southwestern 61-62 INT
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
31S
Range
22E
Section
02
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset
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" (14 CCR § 15301) exemption 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 an existing 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 well would maintain its existing well type and the use of the well would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because it consists of "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[.]" Examples of Class 2 include, but are not limited to, "Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or & "facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity." The proposed project is a new drill. The new drill will use the existing pad and will not be used for production purposes.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. Therefore, 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 new drill would not expand the facility.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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