727650_Group_Chevron_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025090007
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
727650_Group_Chevron_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/2/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to rework 21 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. 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 proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 21 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
0402975765 Kern 386
0402980650 Kern 406
0402982253 Kern 410
0402985065 Green & Whittier A 276
0402986221 Green & Whittier A 282
0403017701 Unspecified 3-19A
0403024002 Kern 422
0403012924 Unspecified 6-20A
0403035086 Green & Whittier A 339
0403034587 American Naphtha 3764
0402972247 Unspecified 343
0402972171 Unspecified 3431
0402970996 Kern 353
0402971923 Kern 361
0402971924 Kern 362
0402968226 Kern 295
0402966657 Hanford & Fresno 29
0403030053 Kern 426
0403034585 Kern 428
0403031885 Kern 84R
0403028693 Kern Co. Land Co. 49R
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
03
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 sidetrack, or
replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to restore the wells to their original functionality. The sidetracked will be the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the sidetrack. 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 sidetrack would not expand the facility.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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