Santa Ynez Oil Refinery Resumes Operations, Boosting California Production

The recently reopened facility is now pumping 60,000 barrels of oil per day, raising hopes of lower fuel prices in the state.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A geometric abstract illustration featuring overlapping triangles and circles in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the balance between domestic and foreign oil sources.The reopening of the Santa Ynez oil refinery aims to boost California's domestic energy production and reduce reliance on foreign oil imports.Santa Barbara Today

After being shuttered for over a decade following an oil spill, the Santa Ynez oil refinery in California has resumed operations under a Trump administration executive order. The facility, owned by Sable Offshore Corp., is now producing 60,000 barrels of oil per day, which is expected to replace nearly 1.5 million barrels of foreign crude imports each month and help ease the state's energy crisis and high gas prices.

Why it matters

California's oil production has declined by 75% since the 1980s, leading to greater reliance on imported oil and higher fuel costs for consumers. The reopening of the Santa Ynez refinery is seen as a critical step in boosting domestic energy supply and reducing the state's dependence on foreign oil, though it remains caught in legal battles between the state and federal government.

The details

The Santa Ynez refinery, which includes three offshore platforms called Hondo, Harmony, and Heritage, had been closed since the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill. In May 2025, oil from the Harmony platform began flowing to the onshore Las Flores Canyon facility, and in March 2026, President Trump issued an executive order directing the use of the Defense Production Act to authorize Sable Offshore to resume operations, citing national security and energy supply concerns. The reopening has already created about 100 new jobs, with an additional 200 expected once all three platforms are fully operational, and is projected to generate $5 million in annual tax revenue for the state.

  • In May 2025, oil from six Platform Harmony wells began flowing to Las Flores Canyon for storage pending approval to restart the onshore pipeline.
  • On March 13, 2026, Trump issued an executive order directing use of the Defense Production Act to authorize Sable Offshore to resume operations in the Santa Barbara Channel.
  • On March 14, 2026, hydrocarbon transport resumed from Las Flores Canyon to Pentland, and oil sales began on March 29.

The players

Sable Offshore Corp.

The Texas-based company that owns and operates the Santa Ynez oil refinery, including the three offshore platforms.

J. Caldwell Flores

The president and CEO of Sable Offshore Corp.

Vince Fong

A U.S. Representative whose district includes some of California's richest oil reserves and who was critical of Governor Newsom's oil policies.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California, who has faced criticism for his environmental policies that have allegedly constrained oil production in the state.

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What they’re saying

“We have a perfect, safe restart of the pipeline.”

— J. Caldwell Flores, President and CEO of Sable Offshore Corp.

“It's American oil, on American soil.”

— Vince Fong, U.S. Representative

“Gavin Newsom has restricted domestic supply of oil and gas. He's made California more dependent on foreign oil. He's imposed taxes and fees and mandates that make California gasoline more expensive.”

— Vince Fong, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The judge in the ongoing legal battle between the state and federal government over the refinery's reopening is expected to rule on the matter in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Santa Ynez oil refinery highlights the ongoing tensions between California's environmental policies and the state's energy needs. While the facility's production is expected to help ease fuel prices, the legal and political battles surrounding its operations underscore the complex challenges facing California's energy landscape.