Santa Barbara County Approves Transfer of Oil Ownership and Permits to Sable

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission approved the transfer of ownership and permits for oil pipelines and assets from ExxonMobil to Sable Offshore Corp. The approval in a 3-1 vote on October 30, 2024 is a key step in Sable’s efforts to restart the onshore and offshore oil facilities of the Santa Ynez Unit, which have been shut since the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. The pipeline that ruptured in the spill is one of the assets involved in the transfer.

The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) appealed the commission’s decision, sending the matter before the County Board of Supervisors. The EDC argued that Sable does not have an approved Oil Spill Contingency Plan and did not demonstrate the financial capability to remediate a spill. The commissions stated that such matters were not relevant to the decision, but the EDC maintained that, under the Santa Barbara County Code, these issues are applicable.

“Sable has already shown that it can’t be trusted to operate responsibly or safely,” EDC Executive Director Alex Katz said in a statement. “We urge the County Supervisors to deny these transfers and protect our coast.”

Environmental activists also accused Exxon of selling the pipeline to Sable in order to avoid financial responsibility for its oil operation. They also raised concerns that Sable was not replacing the pipeline that ruptured and caused the 2015 spill. County staff said ExxonMobil would be in charge of any cleanups or repairs, according to Noozhawk.

Given the recusal of Joan Hartmann, who owns property through which the pipeline will run, the Board of Supervisors is likely to deadlock in a 2-2 vote.

Sable must still receive approval from the California Coastal Commission and State Fire Marshal before restarting operations.