Aera San Ardo 071524 Administrative Grouping
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025110812
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
Aera San Ardo 071524 Administrative Grouping
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/20/2025
Document Description
Operator proposes to rework a total of one (1) existing cyclic steam well in the existing and heavily developed San Ardo Oil Field to continue oil and gas resource development. The proposed Site for the rework operation will encompass an area of 100 feet by 200 feet (20,000 square feet, or 0.47 acres). The total area to be used in all proposed rework operations in the Administrative Grouping is approximately 20,000 sq ft (0.47 acres). Operator estimates the work will take approximately 5 days to complete once work has begun. The entirety of this work is in an area of existing disturbance and no change in the surface topography (such as drainage patterns) is included in the work design. No new grading will occur in undisturbed areas. Regular operations at the site would include removal of weeds and other ruderal vegetation for fire control and road maintenance. Similar activities would occur during the course of the work. The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Aera Energy LLC to rework the well listed below, in the San Ardo Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0405322563 Orradre 1357R-11
Contact Information
Name
Erin Quinn
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
ASSOCIATE OIL AND GAS ENGINEER
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jeffrey Young
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Southern California
Township
23S
Range
10E
Section
11
Base
MD
Other Location Info
San Ardo Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): 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
14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): 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 rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to restore the well’s original functionality. The rework will be on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): 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 rework would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308
Reasons for Exemption
Classes 7 and 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308): Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions apply. The exemptions are for actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by law to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of a natural resource or the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for the protection of the environment.” As demonstrated in the record, the proposed project involves remedial/rework operations to address well integrity issues that requires swift action for protection of a natural resource and the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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