Department of Energy
Department of Energy's Categorical Exclusions (opens in new tab)Categorical Exclusion
B3. Categorical Exclusions Applicable to Site Characterization, Monitoring, and General Research
Exclusion Text
B3.7 NEW TERRESTRIAL INFILL EXPLORATORY AND EXPERIMENTAL WELLS. Siting, construction, and operation of new terrestrial infill exploratory and experimental (test) wells, for either extraction or injection use, in a locally characterized geological formation in a field that contains existing operating wells, properly abandoned wells, or unminable coal seams containing natural gas, provided that the site characterization has verified a low potential for seismicity, subsidence, and contamination of freshwater aquifers, and the actions are otherwise consistent with applicable best practices and DOE protocols, including those that protect against uncontrolled releases of harmful materials. Such wells may include those for brine, carbon dioxide, coalbed methane, gas hydrate, geothermal, natural gas, and oil. Uses for carbon sequestration wells include, but are not limited to, the study of saline formations, enhanced oil recovery, and enhanced coalbed methane extraction.
Disclaimer
This CE Explorer tool is not an authoritative source and creates no rights or obligations. When using the CE Explorer Tool, Federal agencies and stakeholders should review the relevant agency's NEPA procedures for information about how to apply the CE, including any limitations or potential extraordinary circumstances, and to ensure that a CE is current and applicable to a given proposed action. For ease of use, a link to each agency's NEPA procedures and CEs is provided along with the text of the CE. To adopt and use another agency's categorical exclusion, an agency must follow the steps described in section 109 of NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4336c.
