814634_CalNRG_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2026060563
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
814634_CalNRG_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/11/2026
Document Description
Proposed Project: CalNRG proposes to rework State PRC E-1 (04-111-00846) located in the Montalvo, West Oil Field in Ventura County, California. This well was drilled and completed as a producer in 2014 and is currently active. The well is located within an established oilfield boundary, on a well-maintained existing well pad, and a well-maintained access road. Proposed project execution will require no new disturbance. No changes to the existing infrastructure will take place. The job will require approximately 10 to 15 days to complete. Produced water will be utilized for all well work by way of existing lines from the facilities to the well and fresh water will be transported in for cement blending. No new facilities are needed.
Environmental Setting: Established oil field. Environmentally sensitive as they meet the definition of being within the Coastal Zone, or less than 1000 yards from the ocean. The surrounding land use around the proposed project consists of a developed oil field.
Potential Environmental Impacts: Operation of the wells has been subject to all provisions of Senate Bill 1137 for existing wells located within designated health protection zones since June 2024 and would continue to operate in accordance with these regulations. Therefore, no unusual circumstances exist that would present a reasonable possibility of significant environmental effects. No vegetation will be disturbed by this project. There will be no increase in either the number or the capacity of flowlines.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for CalNRG Operating, LLC to rework the well(s) listed below, in the West Montalvo Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0411100846 State PRC E-1
Contact Information
Name
Clifton Simonson
Agency Name
CalNRG Operating, LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
John Abeid
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, CA Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Oil and Gas Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
West Montalvo
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Southern California
Waterways
Pacific Ocean, McGrath Lake, Santa Clara River, Southern CA Edison Co. Canal, Ventura Harbor
Township
35
Range
02N
Section
23W
Base
SB
Other Location Info
West Montalvo Oil Field
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.” This includes “remedial, maintenance, conversion, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the alteration of well casing, such as perforating and casing repair, removal, or replacement; installation or removal of downhole production or injection equipment, cement plugs, bridge plugs, and packers set to isolate production or injection intervals.” (14 CCR § 1684.1.) The proposed project would make minor alterations to the well(s), resulting in negligible expansion of use beyond that existing previously. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
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 reconstruct the casing and wellbore(s) of existing wells. The work would take place on the existing wellbore(s) and well pads. The proposed work involves negligible change in use of the wells. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
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 involves negligible or no vegetation removal, expansion of the existing well pads, and ground disturbance. Therefore, there would be no surface disturbance related activities that would significantly disturb the surrounding environment. The proposed project and related permit approval is consistent with the laws that govern the operations, including statutory and regulatory provisions that protect public health, safety, and the environment.
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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