836544_36800001_SoCalGas_UGS
Summary
SCH Number
2026100439
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
836544_36800001_SoCalGas_UGS
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/14/2026
Document Description
Southern California Gas Company has proposed to rework UGS well Miller 8, API
#04-083-03411. The well is located in the La Goleta Gas Storage field in Santa
Barbara County. The rework would punch and inject resin into the annulus to
mitigate pressure buildup and inspect the integrity of the well. The work would
include pulling the 3-1/2” completion tubing and associated BHA accessories,
cleaning out the liner to bottom (if possible), running diagnostic logs to evaluate source(s) of annular pressure buildup in the 8-5/8” x 6-5/8” annulus, running a
Punch-and-Inject tool, and injecting resin into the annulus.
After resin injection, an assessment of the injection well would involve running
inspection logs to evaluate the 6-5/8” production casing and pressure testing the
production casing to meet the minimum pressure requirement (2140 psi). New 3-
1/2” tubing (to include a SSSV, a production packer and profile nipples) would be
installed in the well. The well would be returned to service, and a noise/temp
survey would be run to verify no communication from the storage zone to the
production casing x tubing annulus (6-5/8” x 3-1/2”).
Temporary equipment such as pumps and return bins would be needed. No
permanent facilities would be constructed. No expansion of associated facilities
would be required. Waste materials would be properly disposed of as nonhazardous or hazardous waste, as appropriate, at a facility licensed to accept the
waste.
The proposed work is expected to last between 45 and 60 days, with variance
depending on the amount of fill and/or sand that the operator would need to
cleanout in the wellbore, and the amount of resin injection intervals to complete
as determined by log interpretations and vendor recommendations.
Contact Information
Name
Kyle Lackey
Agency Name
Department of Conservation, California Geologic Energy Management
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Thomas McMahon
Agency Name
Southern California Gas Company
Job Title
Agent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Goleta
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
04-083-03411
Township
04N
Range
28W
Section
21
Base
SB
Other Location Info
Project Well: Miller 8, API # 04-083-03411
Other Information
Corner Call: 858.5' S. and 14.16' E. from N.W. Corner of Section 21
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Existing Facilities (14 CCR §§ 15301, 1684.1)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 consists of the “operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing previously” (14 CCR § 1684.1). The operator proposes to make minor alterations to an existing gas storage well within an existing gas storage facility by recovering and replacing the liner, and by testing the integrity of the well. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the Class 1 Exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (14 CCR § 15302)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 2 consists of the “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” (14 CCR § 15302). The proposed project would recover and replace the liner of one existing gas storage well, which is located on an existing well pad. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. Therefore, the Class 2 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, Minor Alterations to Land (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 consists of “drilling operations that result only in minor alterations with negligible or no permanent effects to the existing condition of the land, water, air, and/or vegetation” (14 CCR §§ 15304, 1684.2). The proposed project would rework one existing gas storage well within an existing gas storage facility. The well would remain a gas storage well with substantially the same purpose and capacity. The well is located on an existing well pad, which is large enough to accommodate the necessary equipment and would be accessed by existing roads. The project does not involve the construction of new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Therefore, there would be no new surface disturbance that would significantly impact the surrounding environment, and the Class 4 exemption applies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
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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