Judge Blocks Sable Pipeline Restart Again, Demanding Proper Permits

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Today, a Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge upheld a judicial order against Sable Offshore, the Texas-based oil company attempting to restart production on the Central Coast.

The ruling by Judge Donna Geck prevents Sable from restarting two oil pipelines located within Santa Barbara County, and rejects the Trump administration's direct order to Sable Offshore to restart oil production – demanding the company obtain the proper approvals and permits.

Despite a premilary injunction issued back in July 2025, Sable Offshore resumed sales from onshore pipelines in March from the Las Flores Canyon processing facility in Malibu to Pentland Station in Kern County at a rate of over 50,000 barrels of oil per day, including Line 325 – the ruptured pipeline from the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill.

According to Judge Geck's tentative ruling today, "Sable has not persuaded the court," and must comply with state laws and procedures regardless of judicial and administrative orders.

Judge Geck has set a contempt of court hearing date for May 22nd.

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