836878_CREH_OG
Summary
SCH Number
2026080293
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
836878_CREH_OG
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 1 permit for California Resources Elk Hills, LLC to rework the well: 326-10Z listed below, in the Railroad Gap Oil Field in Kern County. The rework project includes bringing well-repaired equipment to the site and setting it up for use. Pull sucker rods, pump and production tubing. Perforate from 5900’ to 7500’ (net footage TBD). Run production tubing, pump and rods. Remove the well repaired equipment from the site after rework is complete. Return well to production.
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. Kern County encompasses approximately 8,202 square miles and is located at the southern end of California’s Central Valley. The County includes a diverse range of land uses and environmental conditions, including agricultural lands, oil and gas development areas, and desert environments. 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.
Project Well(s):
• Well Name: 326-10Z, API 0403041456
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, LLC (C0880)
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Taft
Counties
Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
30S
Range
22E
Section
10
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Oil Field Railroad Gap
Other Information
fro SW cor 2092N 1500E
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, 14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1): 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 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 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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, 14 CCR § 15302
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302): 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.”
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2): 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.
Exceptions to Exemptions: 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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