SCH Number 2025090577

Project Info

Title

Permanent Sealing of Orphan Wells in Kern County ISMND

Description

The Permanent Sealing of Orphan Wells in Kern County Project by the California Department of Conservation Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) State Abandonment Program involves the State of California's plugging and abandoning (permanent sealing) of 18 orphan wells, removal of tanks, aboveground pipelines, debris, and other Project-related facilities and equipment in Kern County, California. One well is not within an oil field, while the rest are in the Fruitvale (12), Mountain View (3), Edison (1), and Semitropic (1) Oil Fields. For well permanent sealing, each well would be cleaned out and then plugged with cement and inert mud to the ground surface. Then, the well casing would be cut down to approximately five to ten feet below ground level, and the site would be backfilled with soil up to ground level. All activities would utilize existing roads and previously disturbed areas to the maximum extent feasible. Due to the locations of the well sites, the access and staging of equipment could have the potential for ground disturbance. Therefore, CalGEM is preparing this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines. A site stabilization and/or lease restoration plan is proposed to ensure that that area is returned to natural conditions. The project activities being permitted by CalGEM are within the scope of the Permanent Sealing of Orphan Wells in Kern County IS/MND. CalGEM approved permits to abandon the wells listed below in Kern County.

3 documents in project