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California orders Sable Offshore to remove pipeline segment in state park
State regulators clash with federal push to restart oil drilling operations in Santa Barbara
Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:55pm
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California regulators have ordered Houston-based Sable Offshore (SOC) to remove a section of pipeline that runs through Gaviota State Park, escalating a dispute just days after the federal government directed the company to restart oil operations along the Santa Barbara coast.
Why it matters
This clash between state and federal authorities highlights the ongoing tensions over energy development and environmental protection, particularly in sensitive coastal areas like Santa Barbara that have a history of oil spills and environmental damage.
The details
The pipeline segment in question is part of Sable Offshore's broader network of infrastructure used to transport crude oil and natural gas from offshore drilling platforms to onshore processing facilities. State regulators cited concerns over the pipeline's impact on the state park's natural resources and recreational use as the basis for the removal order.
- On March 10, 2026, the federal government directed Sable Offshore to restart oil operations along the Santa Barbara coast.
- On March 15, 2026, California regulators ordered Sable Offshore to remove the pipeline segment running through Gaviota State Park.
The players
Sable Offshore
A Houston-based oil and gas company that operates offshore drilling platforms and pipelines along the California coast.
California regulators
State authorities responsible for overseeing environmental protection and land use in California, including in state parks and coastal areas.
Federal government
The U.S. federal government, which has jurisdiction over offshore oil and gas operations and has directed Sable Offshore to restart drilling in the Santa Barbara region.
What’s next
Sable Offshore is expected to challenge the state's removal order, setting up a potential legal battle between state and federal authorities over the future of oil and gas operations in the Santa Barbara region.
The takeaway
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between energy development and environmental protection, particularly in sensitive coastal areas with a history of oil spills and environmental damage. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of oil and gas operations in California.
