637428_Crimson_UIC_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2025091139
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
637428_Crimson_UIC_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/24/2025
Document Description
Crimson Resource Management Corporation (Crimson) proposes to rework one well located in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Kern County, California. The proposed rework consists of pulling the existing liner and replacing the liner with the same size at the same depth. Additionally, Crimson requests a well status change from cyclic steam producer to oil and gas producer. Crimson will comply with their UIC Project Approval Permit/Code 46400038 for the proposed rework project. Additionally, Crimson will not be using any well stimulation fluid for the proposed rework well. Per Crimson, the existing well site is maintained free of vegetation based on permits previously received from the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) for the original preparation of the well pad and drilling of the existing well.
The well is located on an existing well pad with existing access roads located within a densely developed CalGEM-defined oil field. No expansion of the existing well pad, roads, staging areas, or pipelines is proposed. Reworking activities and return to operation of the existing well includes the following phases: re-working and equipping phase, a production phase, and a plugging and abandonment phase. All proposed work will comply with all updated CalGEM regulations.
The proposed project consists of CalGEM approving a permit for Crimson to rework the well listed below, in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Kern County.
API # Well Name
0403060090 19-09
Contact Information
Name
Steve Nixon
Agency Name
Crimson Resource Management Corporation
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Nicole Trezza
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
CEQA Program Contractor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Township
31S
Range
22E
Section
25
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
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. This Class includes but is not limited to conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair, removal, or replacement; installation or removal of downhole production or injection equipment, cement plugs, bridge plugs, and packers set to isolate production or injection intervals. As the proposed project consists of pulling the existing liner and replacing the liner with the same size at the same depth and would not expand the facility, the Class 1 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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 consists of pulling the existing liner and replacing the liner with the same size at the same depth. Therefore, the Class 2 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project consists of pulling the existing liner and replacing the liner with the same size at the same depth and would not expand the facility. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The proposed 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.”
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
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.