817817_Group_CREH_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2026060662
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
817817_Group_CREH_OG
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/15/2026
Document Description
California Resources Elk Hills, LLC is proposing to rework wells 336X-6D and 5B-6D in the Buena Vista Oil Field. The proposed project involves running and cementing an inner string of 5.5-inch casing and re-perforating the wells. The well depths are less than 3,500 feet. Temporary equipment for the project includes a workover rig, a wireline truck, and ancillary equipment. No new ground disturbance is proposed. The proposed project is located within Kern County, California, in an area where oil and gas exploration and production activities have historically occurred and are anticipated to continue. The project site lies within the San Joaquin Valley portion of Kern County, generally defined as lands below an elevation of 1,000 feet above mean sea level. The location and site access are consistent with the information provided in the County application materials.
The project site is located within the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin, which is regulated by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The area is also located within the Tulare Lake Groundwater Basin, including the Kern River and Poso Hydrographic Units, which are subject to Regional Water Quality Control Board oversight. These environmental conditions are typical of areas supporting long-standing oil and gas operations in Kern County.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving two permits for California Resources Elk Hills to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Buena Vista Oil Field.
API # Well Name:
0403036847 Unspecified 336X-6D
0403034642 Unspecified 5B-6D
Contact Information
Name
Mila Galevski
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Analyst I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Pradeep Thallapalle
Agency Name
California Resources Elk Hills
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Township
32S
Range
24E
Section
06
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Buena Vista O&G Field
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, 14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project involves adding perforations of the existing well casing and will not involve an expansion of use of the oil field and therefore is exempt from the need for full CEQA review. Additionally, in accordance with 14 CCR § 1684.1 the Class 1 exemption consists of operation, repair, maintenance, minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously. This Class includes but is not limited to conversions, and abandonment work on oil, gas, injection, and geothermal wells involving the alteration of well casings, 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. The work will be conducted on existing well casings and pads and will utilize existing access roads. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 08006009, as permitted by the PAL.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, 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.” This work will take place on an existing well and there will be no expansion of existing or former use. Additionally, a CalGEM engineer has confirmed that the proposed work would be a continuation of operations within UIC Project 08006009, as permitted by the PAL.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 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 project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an industrial area. 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 facilities. 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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