NOE OG Berry 0403067717
Summary
SCH Number
2020031031
Public Agency
California Department of Conservation
(DOC)
Document Title
NOE OG Berry 0403067717
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/24/2020
Present Land Use
Midway-Sunset oil field
Document Description
The proposed project consists of drilling one new well in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field in the City of Taft, in Kern County. The proposed well is located in a densely developed oil field, within a parcel under active oil production, and in an area with surface and mineral rights owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). CalGEM has issued a permit for the well and notified BLM of the permits.
API # Well Name
0403067717 Gusher 301
Contact Information
Name
Larry Kleinecke
Agency Name
California Geologic Energy Management Division
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Berry Petroleum Company, LLC
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Taft
Counties
Kern
Township
32
Range
24E
Section
34
Base
MD B&M
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15261(b)
Reasons for Exemption
15261(b) - Ongoing Project: The project is statutorily exempt from CEQA under the Ongoing Project exemption (PRC 21169; 14 CCR 15261(b)) because CalGEM identified administrative boundaries of the Midway-Sunset oil & gas field that were approved prior to April 5, 1973 (pre-CEQA). CalGEM permit approvals for oil & gas activities within this field occurred before April 5, 1973 and those permit approvals occurring after that date do not involve a greater degree of responsibility or control over the project as a whole than did the prior approvals.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1 – Existing Facility: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 1” (14 CCR §15301) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines and per CalGEM’s regulations (14 CCR §1684.1) because the well will be installed within an existing oil field and involves no expansion of use of the oil field.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land: The project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the “Class 4” (14 CCR 15304) exemption per the CEQA Guidelines because the project involves the minor alteration of the condition of land and/or vegetation within a densely developed oil field and does not require the removal of healthy, mature scenic trees.