Bonta Unsuccessfully Requests TRO to Stop Sable

California Attorney General Rob Bonta unsuccessfully requested a temporary restraining order against Sable Offshore Corporation for refusing to comply with the California Coastal Commission’s orders to stop work on oil pipelines along the California coast. Sable is repairing the pipeline that caused the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill along the Santa Barbara coast with the intent to restart offshore oil production at its Santa Ynez unit.

The California Coastal Commission alleges that Sable is continuing with unpermitted work on the pipeline. Sable, meanwhile, contends that the work is authorized under existing permits.

Bonta sought the restraining order after the California Coastal Commission issued its third cease-and-desist order to stop the work on April 10, 2025. The Coastal Commission also fined Sable $18 million for refusing to comply with its orders to stop work.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Anderle reportedly was prepared to grant the temporary restraining order but changed his decision after reading Sable’s opposition to the request, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.

Sable argued that a work stoppage would inflict “irreparable harm” with an immediate loss of approximately 75 jobs and a loss of approximately $2.5 million per week.

The court will hear arguments for a preliminary injunction on May 14, 2025.