The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has initiated a fast-tracked environmental review that could allow hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, at Platform Gilda in federal waters off California.
In a March 18, 2026 notice of intent, BOEM said it will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate a proposal to authorize well stimulation treatments, including fracking, across existing wells at the site. Platform Gilda, located approximately nine miles offshore in the Santa Barbara Channel, is part of the Santa Clara Unit and is operated by DCOR LLC.
BOEM’s proposed action is to authorize fracking across 16 existing wells using existing offshore infrastructure. BOEM framed the action as an incremental enhancement of production that avoids the environmental impacts associated with new offshore development.
Fast-Track Review under Emergency NEPA Procedures
BOEM is conducting the review under the Interior Department’s “alternative arrangements” for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance during a declared national energy emergency. The EIS process could be completed in roughly 28 days from the date of the notice—far shorter than typical multi-year NEPA timelines.
The expedited review reflects broader federal efforts to expand domestic oil and gas production following executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and prioritizing increased domestic energy production. In its January 2026 application, DCOR said fracking at Platform Gilda is “needed to maintain Platform Gilda’s offshore production levels to support the national interest in reducing dependence on foreign energy sources, efficiently increasing domestic production and conserving resources in accordance with Executive Orders (EO) 14154 and EO 14156.” DCOR had previously applied for fracking permits that were slowed by the 2022 court decision.
Long-Standing Offshore Fracking Restrictions
Offshore fracking in California has been effectively blocked for years by litigation. In 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that federal agencies violated environmental laws by approving offshore well stimulation without adequate review. The court ruled that the federal government must complete a full EIS review before approving permits for offshore oil drilling platforms.
The decision, which stemmed from a 2016 lawsuit brought by California and environmental groups, prevented the Interior Department and other federal agencies from issuing fracking permits until a complete EIS was issued.
The U.S. Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the decision in 2023, leaving in place a de facto moratorium on offshore fracking until comprehensive environmental analysis is completed.
Earlier district court rulings in 2018 similarly halted permitting, citing violations of the Endangered Species Act and Coastal Zone Management Act.
Production Context and Policy Implications
Platform Gilda has produced approximately 42.6 million barrels of oil and 51.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas since beginning operations in 1981, according to federal data.
The review follows separate federal actions earlier this year to consider new offshore lease sales in California waters, suggesting a broader policy shift toward increased offshore development. In February 2026, BOEM announced that it will begin preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for potential oil and gas lease sales off the coast of California. The review encompasses the Northern, Central and Southern California Planning Areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Separately, the Trump administration has taken steps to support the restart of offshore oil production linked to the Santa Ynez Unit offshore oil field. Most recently, it directed Sable Offshore Corp. to restart the oil pipeline system serving the Santa Ynez Unit, citing national security concerns and the need to strengthen domestic energy supply on the West Coast.