714153_Chevron_USA_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2026051172
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
714153_Chevron_USA_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/28/2026
Document Description
The operator proposes to rework an existing well in the existing and heavily developed San Ardo Oil field that requires emergency repair of the casing. Water used during the rework operations will be metered, reclaimed produced water, approximately 300 barrels. The work will not increase the depth of the well.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to rework the well listed below, in the San Ardo Oil Field, to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0405321216 Rosenberg (NCT-1) WI-12
Contact Information
Name
Zack Nelson
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, CA Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Oil and Gas Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Tammy Bellman
Agency Name
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Unincorporated
Township
22S
Range
10E
Section
28
Base
MD
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 rework, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to repair the casing. The existing well pad will remain the same, no new road construction will occur. No expansion of capacity will occur. The work is only to repair or replace existing casing with the same size casing.
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 proposed project is located within a developed oil field. 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
Classes 7 and 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and the Environment ( §§ 15307,15308
Reasons for Exemption
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.
CalGEM further finds that there are no exceptions to the application of the categorical exemptions (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2 (c)) referenced above. 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. The approved project is within a Health Protection Zone (HPZ) as defined by Public Resources Code (PRC) section 3280(b). The HPZ does not present an unusual circumstance because SB 1137 (PRC § 3280 et seq.) requires all oil or gas production facilities or wells with a wellhead within an HPZ to comply with specified health, safety, and environmental requirements. In addition, CalGEM further finds that there are no significant “cumulative impacts” resulting from successive projects of the same type in the same place. Therefore, reliance on the exemption(s) is appropriate.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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