Sidetrack Well OWS-004, Pier S, Long Beach Inner Harbor Operating Area
Summary
SCH Number
2026080283
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
Sidetrack Well OWS-004, Pier S, Long Beach Inner Harbor Operating Area
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/11/2026
Document Description
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving one permit for Tidelands Oil Production Co. to perform sidetrack work on the well listed below, in the Wilmington Oil Field.
API: #0403730248
Well Name:OWS-004
Contact Information
Name
Grayson Carlton
Agency Name
Department of Conservation Geologic Energy Management Division
Job Title
Associate Oil & Gas Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Pradeep Thallapalle
Agency Name
Tidelands Oil Production Co.
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Township
5S
Range
13W
Section
03
Other Location Info
Wilmington 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
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 sidetrack, or replacement, of the existing wellbore which is needed to maintain productive capacity. The sidetracked well will be located on the same site and have the same surface footprint as the well did before the sidetrack. 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 sidetrack would not expand the facility.
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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