727580_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025080578
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
727580_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/14/2025
Document Description
Project Name: Casing Repair Rework of 1 wells in Kern River Oilfield, Kern County
Proposed Project: Chevron proposes to rework 1 existing well in the existing and heavily developed Kern River Oil field to continue oil and gas resource development. 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.
Key Considerations Summary:
· Work locations will be accessed using existing access roads
· New road construction or improvement will not be needed
· The work will occur on existing well pads
· All equipment will be staged within the project boundary on existing well pads and
access roads
· Grading in undisturbed will not occur in any phase of the work
· The work will use existing electrical lines
· The work will re-use, repair, or re-installation of various above-ground piping to connect well sites to existing infrastructure.
· New infrastructure will not be constructed as a result of the work
· All waste from the project will be handled per state and county regulations
· This work is designed to support continuation of resource development in the area. No additional facilities or equipment will be required beyond that described in this application
· The zone of completion for the proposed is a known hydrocarbon zone is not exploratory
· The work will not change the zone of completion or pool of any wells
· The work will not result in a change in purpose or capacity of any wells
· The work will not result in a change in well type of any wells
· The work does not occur within an artificial island
· The work will comply with updated CalGEM regulations
· There are not sensitive receptors within the project area
· There are not sensitive plant or wildlife species within the project area
Project Location:
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.
Environmental Setting:
The current existing land use (and surrounding land use) of the proposed project is an
active oil field consisting of oil and gas wells.
Best Management Practices:
Biological review – no impacts to wildlife are anticipated. Chevron will conduct a pre-execution
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic
Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Kern River Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0402973304 Green & Whittier 556
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
28S
Range
28E
Section
31
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
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 the rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to repair the well. The rework will be on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
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 rework would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Classes 7 and 8 (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308)
Reasons for Exemption
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 proposed project involves remedial/rework operations 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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