A California Court of Appeal has upheld an injunction granted to the California Coastal Commission against oil pipeline work done by Sable Offshore Corp.
The California Second District Court of Appeal ruling sided with the commission this week, saying it was within its authority to issue a cease-and-desist order against Sable’s work in the coastal zone.
The disagreement stems back to pipeline work Sable had conducted in 2024 along the Gaviota Coast in its efforts to restart oil production from the Santa Ynez Unit in Santa Barbara County.
Sable had challenged the cease-and-desist orders and injunction, arguing that the previous court had not properly provided the company due process over the course of the hearings.
The appeal court disagreed with Sable’s argument, saying that the previous court “afforded Sable a full and fair opportunity to propound its case.”
Sable representatives say crews were doing repair work allowed under previous permits on the pipeline. It later sued over the issue, arguing that the commission did not have the authority to stop the company from doing that type of work.
Work on the pipelines included replacing whole sections, installing safety valves and other projects.
The pipelines in question are CA-324 and CA-325, which connect Santa Barbara County-area offshore oil platforms and processing facilities to out-of-area refineries.
Pipeline 324, previously known as Line 901, is the same pipeline that ruptured in 2015, leading to the Refugio oil spill.
At the time of the spill, the pipeline was owned by Plains All American Pipeline. It was later sold to ExxonMobil, which transferred it to Sable in 2024.
At the time of the purchase, the line was inactive because of court-mandated approvals agreed to in the aftermath of the spill and needed repairs.
In November 2024, the Coastal Commission issued a cease-and-desist order to Sable when it became aware that the company was conducting construction in Gaviota Coast area. Even though Sable says it has the authorization to do repair work based on permits issued in the 1980s, the commission disagreed.
The commission also issued a different cease-and-desist order in February 2025.
Sable was later fined $18 million by the commission for continuing construction.
The Coastal Commission and Sable declined to comment on the most recent court decision.
There are other pending court cases related to Sable’s production restart. The company started transporting oil for sale through the pipelines earlier this year.
