730087_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2026060118
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
730087_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/3/2026
Document Description
The primary work objective is to sidetrack one (1) existing well. This work is designed to support continuation of oil and gas resource development in the area. The wells are not being sidetracked (i) for abandonment purposes only or (ii) in connection with an enforcement order to mitigate or prevent environmental damage or surface expression.
This submission consists of a grouping of distinct individual permit requests to facilitate administration of review. Aera requests permits for each well listed individually based on its own merits, including the applicability of California Environmental Quality Act exemptions. 6
Sidetracking is the process of drilling a new wellbore from an existing wellbore. This is typically done when the original wellbore encounters a problem, when accessing remaining hydrocarbons within portions of the same reservoir, or when obstructions in the wellbore need to be bypassed. This process allows drilling a new section in an existing wellbore in the same rock formation restoring the well’s original functionality.
API # Well Name
04-053-21348 “Hambey” 801-17
Contact Information
Name
Mykal Stoner
Agency Name
California Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Oil and Gas Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Simon Ghosh
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Southern California
Township
23S
Range
11E
Section
17
Base
MD
Other Location Info
San Ardo Oil Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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 sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to restore the wells to their original functionality. The sidetracked will be the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the sidetrack. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 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 project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. 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 sidetrack would not expand the facility.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions
Reasons for Exemption
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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