828994_Wild Goose_Rework_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2026080178
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
828994_Wild Goose_Rework_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/4/2026
Document Description
Wild Goose Storage (WGS) proposes to repair well Wild Goose Gas Unit 2 WG29HZ within the Wild Goose Underground Natural Gas Storage Project. Per the CalGEM rules for Underground Gas Storage Projects that became effective October 1, 2018, WGS performed a casing inspection on well Wild Goose Gas Unit 2 WG30HZ in June 2025 and found some intervals that have exterior wall loss. The work was executed under Permit #7049442. WGS proposes to repair this well and return it to active gas storage operations. The permit from 2025 is closed; WGS is submitting a new NOI to perform this supplemental repair work. Proposed work will be performed using a service rig. The well is currently temporarily plugged and has a temporary tubing/kill string. Work will involve pulling the temporary plug, removing the kill string, and cementing a new liner to surface. A baseline inspection will be performed on the new liner. The well will then be re-configured by installing a tubing on packer assembly, followed by pressure test(s) to confirm the liner and tubing/packer integrity.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Wild Goose Storage LLC (W2360) to rework the well(s) listed below, in the Wild Goose Gas Hill Underground Gas Storage Project to address well integrity issues.
API # Well Name
0400720107 Wild Goose Gas Unit 2 WG30HZ
Contact Information
Name
Randall P. Jeffries
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Oil and Gas Program Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Peter Oyebanji
Agency Name
Wild Goose Storage LLC (W2360)
Job Title
Submitter
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated Area
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Township
17N
Range
01E
Section
17
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Butte County, Wild Goose Gas; 2876.1 ft W and 2977.0 ft S of the NE corner section 17-17N-1E 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 project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR § 15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project is a repair or minor alteration of existing facilities 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 includes publicly-owned utilities used to provide electric power, natural gas, sewerage, or other public utility services (14 CCR 15301(b)). This existing well is on a single well pad within the Wild Goose Hill Underground Gas Storage Project. The well pad site is on private property accessible by private roads. The surrounding lands are used for hunting and agriculture.
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.” This includes replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity. This well is on a single existing pad within the Wild Goose Hill Underground Gas Storage Project. Proposed work activities involve replacement or reconstruction of existing infrastructure and/or equipment and will not change the former well use.
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 project would not disturb any undisturbed areas. The proposed project is located within an agricultural 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 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 (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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