347648_464-00-0025_HWOC_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025101464
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
347648_464-00-0025_HWOC_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/30/2025
Document Description
Holmes Western Oil Corporation (HWOC) proposes to initiate a new steamflood and cyclic steam Underground Injection Control (UIC) project through the conversion of 12 existing production wells to steam injection wells, 30 production wells to cyclic steam wells, and 4 existing production wells to temperature observation wells. These conversions require no change to the casing of the wellbores and will not require notices of intention (NOIs). Additionally, HWOC proposes to transfer 26 cyclic steam wells from placeholder UIC project No. 46400393. The proposed project is located in an area containing existing well pads, roadways, pipelines, and facilities in a densely developed existing oil field. Well pads and roadways are maintained with a 10-foot vegetation buffer for everyday operations and fire control. No new roadways are required. No new permanent facilities will be constructed, and no expansion of associated facilities will be required.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) issuing one new project approval letter (PAL) to HWOC for the new UIC project No. 464-00-0025, located within the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in Kern County. The list of injection wells that would be associated with the new UIC project are included in Attachment 1.
Contact Information
Name
Mikayla Vaba
Agency Name
California Department of Conservation (DOC)
Job Title
Associate Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Scott Grodewald
Agency Name
Holmes Western Oil Corporation
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
11N
Range
23W
Section
18
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Midway-Sunset Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 applies because the proposed project consists of “minor alteration” of existing wells involving “negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously” (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1). The Operator proposes to initiate a new steamflood and cyclic steam UIC project through the conversion of 12 existing production wells to steam injection wells, 30 production wells to cyclic steam wells, and 4 existing production wells to temperature observation wells. These conversions result in no change to the casing of the wellbores and will not require the submittal of NOIs. Additionally, the Operator proposes to transfer 26 cyclic steam wells from placeholder UIC project No. 46400393. Transferring the wells from the placeholder project is an administrative change that will not change the use of the wells. The proposed project will be located within an area where existing injection activities are currently present. The State Water Resources Control Board reviewed the project and issued a No Objection letter on 5/23/2024.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the proposed project consists of the “reconstruction” of existing wells, which would be “located on the same site” and have “substantially the same purpose and capacity” (14 CCR § 15302). The proposed project would convert 12 existing production wells to steam injection wells, 30 production wells to cyclic steam wells, and 4 existing production wells to temperature observation wells. This reconstruction is a minor change that would take place on existing wells. The proposed project will be located within an area where existing injection activities are currently present and would not substantially change the purpose or capacity of the wells.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2):
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the proposed 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 conversions will not change the casing of the wellbores and the transfer of wells from the placeholder project is an administrative change that will not have physical impacts. The proposed project is located in an area containing existing well pads, roadways, pipelines, and facilities in a densely developed existing oil field. Well pads and roadways are maintained with a 10-foot vegetation buffer for everyday operations and fire control. No new roadways are required. No new permanent facilities will be constructed, and no expansion of associated facilities will be required. Therefore, there would be no significant surface disturbance that could impact the surrounding environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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