670475_Petro-Lud, Inc_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2025110069
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
670475_Petro-Lud, Inc_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/4/2025
Document Description
The well site is accessible by existing roads and will not expand the footprint of the well pad. The project will be executed by a drilling rig with 24-hour operation over
approximately a 4-day period. The purpose is to replace the existing function of the
injection well for continued use with the associated producing wells for disposal of
produced water. The well will be perforated (completed) in the same Pliocene zone as
the current wellbore. The new wellbore’s total depth will be less than the current
wellbore. The bottom-hole location of the new wellbore will be very close to the current wellbore. The rig and associated equipment including pump, tanks, and cementing trucks and will only be situated on the existing well pad and access roads.
Approximately 1000 bbl of fresh water will be used sourced from nearby ag water wells.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving four permits for Petro-Lud, Inc. to perform work on the wells listed below, in the Helm Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0401905059 Noble 35-9
Contact Information
Name
Catherine Calantas
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Clayton Ludington
Agency Name
Petro-Lud, Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
17S
Range
18E
Section
09
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Helm
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
The “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption is applicable per the CEQA Guidelines and CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR § 1684.1) because the proposed work consists of repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of an existing previously permitted well involving no expansion of former use. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells. The well would maintain its existing well type and the use of the well would remain the same as before.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 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 is the sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to replace lost production. The sidetracked well will be located on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the sidetrack. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 exemption applies. The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to contain all equipment. The 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.” The sidetrack would not expand the facility.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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