745679_SoCalGas_UGS_P&A
Summary
SCH Number
2025110270
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
745679_SoCalGas_UGS_P&A
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/7/2025
Document Description
Southern California Gas Company proposes to abandon well Vidor 15. The well is located in the Playa Del Rey Gas Storage Field in Los Angeles County. The proposed work will include operations to plugback the well with cement to surface, perforate the casing as needed, cement squeeze through holes to isolate zones, cut and recover production casing, and place abandonment mud/cement between cement plugs. Surface lines and all rig anchors will be removed and the wellsite restored upon completion. Removal process will consist of excavation in front of rig anchor approximately 6’-8’ wide and 5’ deep, followed by efforts to pull anchor free. Emission avoidance guidelines will be followed as well. Temporary equipment such as a workover rig, tanks, bins, and pumps will be needed during workover operations. The expected duration of this project is estimated to be ~16 weeks. Currently, there are no plans for expansion and/or construction of any associated facilities which would be necessary to complete this work. Waste materials will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste and sent to the proper waste facility for disposal.?
API # 0403714071
Well Name: Vidor 15
Contact Information
Name
Maggie Harrington
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Thomas McMahon
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Township
02S
Range
15W
Section
27
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Playa Del Rey Gas Storage Field
Other Information
From the C/L of the intersection of Jefferson Blvd. and Culver Blvd. go 8' E'ly along C/L of Jefferson, thence 625' S'ly at right angles
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; 14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
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 gas storage 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. The proposed work for this project will include operations to plugback the existing well with cement to surface, perforate the casing as needed, and cement squeeze through holes to isolate zones. Production casing will be cut and recovered, and abandonment mud/cement will be placed between cement plugs. Surface lines and all rig anchors will be removed and the wellsite restored upon completion. There will be no expansion of use of the gas storage field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2; 14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 applies because the abandonment of the well could be considered “replacement or reconstruction of existing structures. The proposed project activity would involve reconstruction of the well bore and casing of the observation well. The abandonment involves cement to surface, perforate the casing as needed, cement squeeze through holes to isolate zones, cut and recover production casing, place abandonment mud/cement between cement plug removals, removal of surface lines, and removal of all rig anchors. The proposed project activity would be located on the existing well pad and would not expand the existing well site.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4; 14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 applies because the abandonment “Consists of minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” The proposed project would be conducted entirely on an existing pad with enough space to accommodate all equipment needed to abandon the well. Minor alterations would be required to excavate up rig anchors approximately 6 to 8 feet wide and 5 feet deep, followed by efforts to pull the anchors free. The minor alterations would be temporary and within the boundaries of the well pad. Therefore, any temporary alterations would occur on the previously disturbed area outside of the designated wetlands or other sensitive habitats. The plug and abandonment would not expand the facility or expansion and/or construction of any associated facilities needed to complete the work for this project that would cause any alterations to the land. The proposed project activity would not result in any surface disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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