827280_3080001_SoCalGas_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2026080529
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
827280_3080001_SoCalGas_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/17/2026
Document Description
Southern California Gas Company proposes to Rework UGS well WEZU C3B at the Honor Rancho Gas Field. The intent of this project is to inspect the well integrity and remediate identified conditions as part of the Storage Integrity Management Program (SIMP). After reviewing well history, available directional surveys and inspection logs, and current wellbore configuration (casing size, restrictions, perforations, liner, etc.), a plan is developed to return well to service. This project includes pulling completion equipment, cleaning to total depth, performing punch and inject, and probable casing expansions as proposed and with approval from CalGEM, perform integrity tests, and run new completion tubing.
Temporary equipment such as a mud pump and return bins will be utilized. No permanent facilities will be constructed during the process and no expansion of associated facilities will be required. All waste material, including brine kill fluid, will be properly disposed of as non-hazardous or hazardous waste, as appropriate, at a facility licensed to accept the waste.
The established oil field surrounding the project location consists of graded pads, wells, oilfield equipment and roadways with areas of undisturbed non-native grasses and California sage brush vegetation.
The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving 1 permit for Southern California Gas Company (S4700) to rework the well listed below, in the Honor Rancho Gas Field.
API # Well Name
0403721697 WEZU C-3B
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
Juan Cadavid Ortiz
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company (S4700)
Job Title
Submitter
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
52' S and 2308' W from Honor Rancho #14
Township
04N
Range
16W
Section
08
Base
SB
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)). The existing well is on an existing well pad within the Honor Rancho Gas Field and the proposed work will not change the current use of the well or operation of the facilities.
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. Proposed work activities involve the 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 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/sidetrack would not expand the facility. The established oil field surrounding the project location consists of graded pads, wells, oilfield equipment and roadways with areas of undisturbed non-native grasses and California sage brush vegetation. No ground disturbance will occur in areas that are undisturbed and this work will not expand the facilities.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Exceptions to Exemptions: (PRC § 21084; 14 CCR § 15300.2)
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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