Trump Order Allows Resumption of Oil Flow Through California Pipeline

The pipeline had been shut down since a 2015 oil spill, but the Trump administration invoked the Defense Production Act to override state regulations.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:40am

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Oil has begun flowing through a pipeline near Santa Barbara, California, for the first time in more than a decade after the Trump administration ordered offshore production to resume there despite strong objections from California officials. The pipeline had been shut down since 2015 when a rupture caused one of the worst oil spills in state history. The new owner of the pipeline, Sable Offshore, announced it had resumed oil production on Saturday at the direction of the Energy Secretary and after President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act, which the administration said superseded state laws.

Why it matters

The reopening of the pipeline sets up a new legal battle between the Trump administration and California leaders, who have said the company has not sufficiently repaired damage from the 2015 spill. The move comes as oil prices have spiked during the Iran war, restricting access to a major oil transport route.

The details

Sable Offshore, a Texas-based company, had been trying to restart the pipeline for more than a year but hadn't been able to secure the required permits from state and local officials. California officials said Sable had not sufficiently repaired damage that led to the 2015 spill, and the state parks department required the company to undergo an environmental review process. With its project stalled, Sable last year asked the Trump administration for help bypassing state regulations.

  • The pipeline had been shut down since 2015 when a rupture caused one of the worst oil spills in California history.
  • On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order under the Defense Production Act to allow the pipeline to resume operations.
  • Sable Offshore announced it had resumed oil production on Saturday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Sable Offshore

A Texas-based company that is the new owner of the pipeline and announced it had resumed oil production at the direction of the Trump administration.

Chris Wright

The U.S. Energy Secretary who directed Sable Offshore to resume pipeline operations.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who vowed to fight back against the Trump administration's attempt to restart the pipeline.

Brady Bradshaw

The senior oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity who said scientists and environmentalists had worked hard to prevent oil from ever flowing through the pipeline again.

Marty Greenstein

A spokesman for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which said Sable's easement to use state park land for the pipeline had expired and that the department would take legal action to defend the state's property rights.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.