State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project – Phase 2
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026040256
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
State Abandonment of Orphan Wells Project – Phase 2
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/7/2026
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the plug and abandonment (P&A) of existing orphan wells in two Counties as part of CalGEM’s State Abandonment Program. The proposed work involves well abandonment and decommissioning tanks and other production-related facilities attendant to the wells. For well abandonment, each well would be cleaned out and then plugged with cement and inert mud to surface. After abandonment, the well head would be removed, and any remaining well casings and surface conductors would be cut to just above the bay floor. Once the well bay is clean, it would have suitable fill placed and compacted. The well bay would be encapsulated with impermeable concrete to seal the bay area. These wells are generally situated within established oil fields in urban and rural settings. Some wells are not located in established oil fields. More details on the wells to be abandoned are included in Attachment 1 – Well List. CalGEM has approved a task order for its contractor to perform the proposed work on the wells listed at the end of this NOE. Notices of Intention will be issued to the contractor for administrative purposes only and do not constitute a discretionary approval.
More details on the wells to be abandoned are included in Attachment 1 – Well List.
Contact Information
Name
Randall P. Jeffries
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Oil and Gas Program Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
San Joaquin, Solano
Regions
Northern California
Township
03N
Range
05E
Section
27
Other Location Info
King Island Gas
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, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): Class 1 exemption applies as CalGEM’s regulations state: “Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The Class includes, but is not limited to: remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells…”. These abandonments could be considered a minor alteration to the existing facilities because the existing wells would be permanently sealed. After abandonment, the wells would cease to be used for oil and gas activities. Therefore, there is no expansion of use beyond that previously existing.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): Class 4 exemption applies as the project would be conducted entirely on existing pads of sufficient space enough to contain all equipment, and existing roads to the pad would be utilized with no new disturbance. No impacts to biological resources are expected because abandonment activities would not disturb any undisturbed areas. Therefore, the 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 abandonments would not expand the facility and would be conducted in order to protect the surrounding natural resources and environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7 and Class 8, Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 7 and Class 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment (14 CCR §§ 15307, 15308): Orphan wells, due to their inherent lack of maintenance and open pipe to potential reservoir pressure and fluids, present an increased risk for potential leaks that could affect and impact natural resources and environment in the area. In addition, because many of the wells are within 3,200 feet of residences, the increased risk of leaks of hazardous substances could negatively impact surrounding sensitive receptors. Orphan wells present an increased risk of leaks when compared to a properly abandoned well and therefore must be plugged and abandoned to minimize a potential threat of a release and subsequent impact. Abandonment of these orphan wells would ensure that risks from leaks and potential impacts to natural resources and the environment are minimized to the extent feasible. Therefore, the Class 7 and Class 8 exemptions are potentially applicable.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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