Story perspectives

Federal Approval for Sable Offshore Sparks Environmental Backlash

12/25/2025

Summary

Story summary

Sable Offshore Corp. received federal approval on December 22, 2025 to restart the Las Flores onshore pipelines, enabling operations at Santa Ynez Unit near Santa Barbara after a PHMSA inspection.
The approval does not resolve state and legal disputes, including safety-compliance denial by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Environmental groups oppose the restart, citing the 2015 Refugio oil spill and tensions between federal policy and local protections.

History

Historical Context

The Refugio oil spill on May 19, 2015, released approximately 140,000 gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean, severely affecting California's coastal ecosystems. This incident, caused by a corroded pipeline owned by Plains All American Pipeline, led to financial losses estimated at $257 million and intensified debates over offshore drilling regulations, highlighting ongoing tensions between energy policies and environmental protection efforts.

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Story summary

Sable Offshore Corp. received federal approval on December 22, 2025 to restart the Las Flores onshore pipelines, enabling operations at Santa Ynez Unit near Santa Barbara after a PHMSA inspection.
The approval does not resolve state and legal disputes, including safety-compliance denial by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Environmental groups oppose the restart, citing the 2015 Refugio oil spill and tensions between federal policy and local protections.

1 / 2