793380_36800001_SoCalGas_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2026050704
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
793380_36800001_SoCalGas_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/18/2026
Document Description
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) proposes to rework one underground gas storage (UGS) well, Miller 12 with API 0408320757, located in the La Goleta Gas Storage field in Santa Barbara County. The rework would recover and replace the sand control liner and inspect the integrity of the well. The work would include pulling the 3-1/2” completion tubing and associated bottom hole assembly accessories, cleaning out the liner to bottom (if possible), recovering the gravel packed liner, cleaning out the openhole section (if possible), installing and gravel packing a new liner in the completion interval, running inspection logs to evaluate the 7” production casing, and pressure testing the production casing to meet the minimum pressure requirement = 2140 psi. New 3-1/2” tubing (to include a production packer and profile nipples) would be installed in the well.
The well would be returned to service and a noise/temperature survey run to verify no communication from the storage zone to the production casing x tubing annulus (7” x 3-1/2”). Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins would be needed. No permanent facilities would be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities would be required. There would be no new surface disturbance associated with the project that would result in significant impacts on biological resources and/or their habitat. Waste materials would be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste, as appropriate, at a facility licensed to accept the waste.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for SoCalGas to rework the well listed below, in the La Goleta Gas Field in Santa Barbara County.
API#: 0408320757, Well Name: Miller 12
Contact Information
Name
Thomas McMahon
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Emma Brammer
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Management Services Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Goleta, Unincorporated Area
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Township
04N
Range
28W
Section
21
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Corner call for surface location is 1940.7' E, 457.24' N of Section 21
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 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.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) This includes “publicly owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services.” (14 CCR § 15301(b).). The proposed project involves minor alterations to an existing gas storage well by recovering and replacing the liner of an existing gas storage well, which is located on an existing well pad within an existing gas storage facility. The proposed rework activities would not result in the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. A CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work is within the scope of the approved UGS project 36800001 and would be a continuation of operations with no expansion. Therefore, the Class 1 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 consists of the “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.” (14 CCR § 15302.) The proposed project would recover and replace the liner of one existing gas storage well, which is located on an existing well pad. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the Class 2 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 consists of “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation.” (14 CCR § 1684.2; see also 14 CCR § 15304.) The proposed project would rework one existing gas storage well within an existing gas storage facility. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. The well is located on an existing well pad, which is large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and would be accessed by existing roads. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Therefore, there would be no new surface disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding environment, and the Class 4 exemption applies.
CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2) referenced above. For example, there is no substantial evidence that there are any “unusual circumstances” associated with the proposed project that create a reasonable possibility that the activity will have a significant effect on the environment, and that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemptions is appropriate.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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