NEWLOVE 271 REWORK
Summary
SCH Number
2026080252
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
NEWLOVE 271 REWORK
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/10/2026
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit(s) for Pacific Coast Energy Company LP to perform rework work on the well(s) listed below, in the Orcutt Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0408322703 Newlove 271
This well is located on the Newlove lease within the Orcutt Hill Oil Field boundaries in Santa Barbara County and is currently an active cyclic steam injection and production well completed in the Diatomite Zone. This proposed rework will add 30 feet of new perforations within the Diatomite Zone, the same zone the well is already completed in.
This project will consist of minor site preparation and remediation work both prior to and post rig mobilization. Temporary equipment will be needed to complete the project which includes a backhoe, workover rig, pumps, water trucks, cement trucks. In addition, vehicles to transport personnel, materials and to mobilize and demobilize equipment and waste will be utilized. No permanent facilities will be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities will be required. Any waste materials generated will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste at a facility licensed to accept the waste. All work will take place within the Newlove 271 location and the roads leading to and from that location.
The project site and surrounding area consist of a graded pad, wells and flowlines, oilfield equipment, and roadways with areas of undisturbed vegetation. Rural farm and ranch lands surround the location which resides within the Orcutt Hill Oil Field boundaries.
Contact Information
Name
Erin Quinn
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
ASSOCIATE OIL AND GAS ENGINEER
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Philip Brown
Agency Name
Pacific Coast Energy Company LP
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Orcutt
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Zip
93455
Township
09N
Range
34W
Section
25
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Orcutt Field
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 of the existing wellbore which is needed to add perforations within the same completion zone. The reworked well will be located on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the well did before the rework. Additionally, no additional construction will occur.
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 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 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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