143592_150-00-0001_Chevron_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025100189
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
143592_150-00-0001_Chevron_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/6/2025
Document Description
Chevron proposes to create a new steamflood and cyclic steam underground injection control (UIC) project by converting 21 existing oil and gas (O&G) production wells into cyclic steam injection wells and 15 existing O&G production wells into continuous steam (SF) injection wells in the Coalinga Oil Field in Fresno County, California. This is an administrative change that would not require surface disturbance. No new roadways or facilities would be constructed, and no expansion of associated facilities would be required. Per the applicant’s project description, the existing oil cleaning, water cleaning, and steam generation plants all have existing capacity to accommodate the increased volumes associated with this UIC project.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) issuing a project approval letter (PAL) to Chevron for the new UIC project No. 150-00-0001 located within the Coalinga Oil Field in Fresno County. The injection wells that would be associated with the new UIC project are listed below.
API # Well Name
0401926381 Zier 7-11
0401926376 Zier 6-13W
0401926384 Zier 7-13
0401926388 Zier 9-11
0401926365 Zier 8-10W
0401926369 Zier 6-11W
0401926366 Zier 8-14W
0401926394 Unspecified 7-15
0401926341 Zier 7-12W
0401926375 Zier 7-12
0401926367 Zier 7-11W
0401926387 Zier 8-12
0401926389 Zier 8-11
0401926368 Zier 8-11W
0401926344 Zier 8-14
0401926342 Zier 8-13W
0401926343 Zier 8-13
0401926374 Zier 8-12W
0401926317 Unspecified 8-I
0401926371 Zier I-9
0401926391 Zier 6-13
0401926370 Zier 6-12W
0401926393 Zier 9-10
0401926392 Zier 8-10
0401926378 Zier 6-11
0401926386 Unspecified 8-15
0401926345 Zier 7-13W
0401926373 Unspecified 6-15
0401926380 Zier 6-12
0401926395 Zier 6-14
0401926379 Unspecified 6-14W
0401926383 Zier 7-14
0401926377 Zier 7-10W
0401926382 Zier 7-10
0401926372 Zier 6-10W
0401926390 Zier 6-10
Contact Information
Name
Nadim Hosn
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
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 area
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Countywide
Township
20S
Range
14E
Section
23
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Coalinga Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1: California Code of Regulations, title 14, sections 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 exemption applies because the proposed project consists of “minor alterations” of existing oil and gas production wells involving “negligible or no expansion of existing or former use” (14 CCR § 1684.1). The proposed project would make minor changes to 36 existing oil and gas production wells, 21 of which would be converted to cyclic steam injection and 15 of which would be converted to continuous steam injection wells. Converting the existing oil and gas production wells to injection wells would not require any mechanical changes to the wellbores nor would it require the expansion or construction of new facilities. The proposed project would be located within a formation in which the use of steam to enhance recovery has been ongoing since the 1960s. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board reviewed the proposed project for groundwater impacts and issued a issued a No Objection letter on September 28, 2023. Therefore, the project would result in a negligible change in existing use.
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 because the project consists of “minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation” (14 CCR § 1684.2). The proposed project would convert 36 existing wells from oil and gas production to injection; however, these conversions would not require mechanical changes to the casing. This is an administrative change that would not have any physical impact on the environment as no surface disturbance is required or proposed. No new roadways or facilities would be constructed, and no expansion of associated facilities would be required. Per the applicant’s project description, the existing oil cleaning, water cleaning, and steam generation plants all have existing capacity to accommodate the increased volumes associated with this UIC project. Therefore, there would be no significant ground disturbance that could impact biological resources or their habitat.
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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