629511_CRPC_STW
Summary
SCH Number
2025090653
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
629511_CRPC_STW
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/15/2025
Document Description
California Resources Production Corporation (CRPC) plans to drill a new stratigraphic well (CTV III C-1) (the project) in San Joaquin County. During and after CTV III C-1 is drilled, core samples, logs, and pressure data would be collected and sent off site to be analyzed. Analysis of the core samples and wire logs would generate data that would improve understanding of the subsurface and confirm its suitability for the safe, secure, and permanent storage of CO2. The proposed project would strictly be for data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities. After data is collected and analyzed, CTV III C-1 would be plugged and abandoned by placing cement plugs in the wellbore at certain intervals according to State requirements.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving a permit for CRPC to drill the well listed below, in San Joaquin County.
API # Well Name
0407720749 CTV III C-1
Contact Information
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Andrew Cochrane
Agency Name
California Resources Production Corporation
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated
Counties
San Joaquin
Regions
Northern California
Township
01N
Range
04E
Section
33
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Victoria Island; Any Field - Northern District
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies to the proposed project. The proposed project would be conducted on approximately 1 acre within Victoria Island, which is an island in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta of approximately 7,200 acres. The project site has been cultivated for more than 100 years. Once data is collected and analyzed, the stratigraphic well would be permanently plugged and abandoned in accordance with CalGEM regulations and permit conditions. The well would not be used for any other purpose other than data collection and evaluation activities, and no significant impacts to biological resources are expected. 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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 6: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Class 6 applies to the proposed project. Class 6 projects consist of “basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. These may be strictly for information gathering purposes only, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.” The proposed project would construct one stratigraphic well for data-collection purposes on previously disturbed land. The project site has been cultivated for more than 100 years. The purpose of the well is not for the production of oil and gas; rather, the well would be used to collect and analyze core samples, pressure data, and wire logs in researching how to improve the understanding of the subsurface and confirm its suitability for the safe, secure, and permanent storage of CO2. The proposed new well would strictly be used for data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities. Upon completion of the activities, the well would be plugged and abandoned. Therefore, there would be no significant disturbance to environmental resources. Further, the Class 6 exemption applies because the data collected would be used to inform part of a study that may, depending on the research results, lead to an action which has not yet been approved or funded.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to the Exemptions: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15300.2
Reasons for Exemption
CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, there is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemptions is appropriate.
A copy of this NOE (as required by 14 CCR § 15062(a)) and all other related materials can be made available to the public by contacting the CalGEM CEQA Program, located at 715 P Street, MS 1803, Sacramento, CA 95814; by calling (916) 445-9686; or an electronic copy of these documents may be requested by contacting CEQA@conservation.ca.gov. The notice filed with the State Clearinghouse may be accessed online at: https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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