730308_Group_PGE_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2025090634
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
730308_Group_PGE_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/15/2025
Document Description
Pacific Gas and Electric Company plans to rework the proposed wells to meet CalGEM Underground Gas Storage inspection and construction requirements as specified in 14 CCR § 1726. The proposed scope of work includes the following activities: retrieve existing tubing string and packer, retrieve production liner, perform casing integrity wireline surveys, replace existing wellhead, install new production liner and gravel pack, and install new tubing string and packer. The proposed project will require, at a minimum, the following equipment: Workover rig (double), mud pumps, cuttings bin blowout prevention equipment and accumulator, generator, fuel tanks, fluid Tanks, and light towers. All equipment will be staged and operated within the existing facility footprint and existing roadways will be used for access. This includes all ancillary equipment which may be required such as pump trucks, vac trucks, and casing storage. No new surface construction activities are planned with the rework. No new permanent facilities will be constructed and no expansion to associated facilities or roadways will be required. The project is anticipated to last from March to December 2025. The wells will be returned to service as a gas storage well with no change or expansion of existing use. The project is in an agricultural zone in San Joaquin County. San Joaquin County does not require any ministerial or discretionary permits for well reworks. The surrounding land use within a 3-mile radius is primarily agricultural. Waste material will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste at a facility licensed to accept the waste. Secondary containment will be utilized for liquid HazMat's and workover fluids. No erosion controls will be required as these sites are all graveled. Water will be applied as mitigation for dust suppression from vehicle traffic.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 3 permits- UIC 45200001, for
Supplementary Notice of Intention - Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Rework the well(s) listed below, in the McDonald Island Gas Oil Field.
API: Well Name:
0407720173 Whiskey Slough 3-E
0407720219 Turner Cut 2-S
0407720228 Turner Cut 10-N
Contact Information
Name
Mila Galevski
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Staff Service Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Brian Wong
Agency Name
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
San Joaquin
Regions
Northern California
Township
02N
Range
04E
Section
25
Base
MD
Other Location Info
McDonald Island Gas and Oil field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, 14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is a repair or minor alteration of existing facilities and will not involve an expansion of use of the oil field and therefore is exempt from the need for full CEQA review. Additionally, in accordance with 14 CCR § 1684.1 the Class 1 exemption consists of operation repair, maintenance, minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. An example provided in the CEQA guidelines states ‘existing facilities of both investor and publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services.’ The proposed work involves altering the existing casing and/or wellhead of existing wells to restore productivity and address known integrity issues.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, 14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): 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.” An example provided in the CEQA guidelines states ‘replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems.’ The proposed project is the rework of an existing wellbore which is needed to install a casing liner in a well with known casing damage. The rework will be on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on existing well pads with enough space to contain all equipment. The project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an existing underground gas storage facility. 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 facilities.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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