Tethy's Exploration Well Project, West Bay Exploration Company

West Bay Exploration Company has applied to the California Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) for authorization to drill a single exploratory oil and gas well, known as the Tethys 1-8 Well, on approximately 1.45 acres of undisturbed private land in unincorporated Kern County, California. The proposed site is located in Section 8, Township 28 South, Range 20 East MDB&M, with coordinates at latitude 35.503500 and longitude -119.836180, situated approximately 1,700 feet southeast of the Antelope Hills Oil Field boundary and 4,100 feet east of the McDonald Anticline Oil Field, and about 43 miles west of Bakersfield. The project involves creating a new well pad, installing temporary storage facilities, and conducting exploratory drilling activities, with all work confined to less than 1.45 acres of total ground disturbance. The site is not designated as a hazardous material location under state law. The project timeline is structured into three phases: site preparation and grading from June 1 to June 4, 2025; well drilling and completion from June 15 to July 11, 2025; and tank facility construction from July 12 to July 26, 2025. No formal contract value, pricing structure, or line items are provided, as the documentation consists entirely of environmental compliance submissions rather than financial or procurement details. Compliance with state and federal environmental regulations is central to the project’s approval and execution. The project’s environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) resulted in a Mitigated Negative Declaration, requiring adherence to a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP). Key compliance obligations include control of dust and emissions per San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District rules, implementation of a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plan per 40 CFR Part 112, and management of stormwater through the Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ. All operations must conform to California’s hazardous waste handling regulations, fire safety codes, and pesticide use guidelines from the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Weekly and annual compliance reports must be submitted, and field personnel must complete WEAP training. Oversight is shared among CalGEM, Kern County Fire Department, Kern County