844152_Aera_UIC
Summary
SCH Number
2026080799
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
844152_Aera_UIC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2026
Document Description
Aera proposes to rework a total of 1 existing oil and gas well(s) in the existing and
heavily developed Coalinga Oil Field to continue oil and gas resource development. Due to the proximity of the wells to each other in an already disturbed densely developed and active Coalinga Oil Field they are grouped in one Administrative Grouping on this application. The proposed project consists of the California Department of Conservation, Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) approving a permit for Aera Energy LLC to perform work on the well listed below, in the Coalinga Oil Field.
API # Well Name
0401926324 Call S32CL-2-1BI
Contact Information
Name
Emilio Flores
Agency Name
Department of Conservation
Job Title
Office Technician
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Simon Ghosh
Agency Name
Aera Energy LLC
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Coalinga
Counties
Fresno, Kern
Regions
Southern California
Township
19S
Range
15E
Section
32
Base
MD
Other Location Info
Coalinga
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 replace lost production. The sidetracked well will be located on the same site and would have substantially the same purpose and capacity 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.
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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