Oil flows again through controversial California pipeline after Trump order

[GJGCA]

Source: The Guardian

Oil has begun to flow from a controversial California pipeline system for the first time in an more than decade following a Trump administration order, despite state officials decrying the move.

Sable Offshore Corporation, the Houston-based owner of the coastal pipelines, announced on Monday that offshore oil was now flowing through its Santa Ynez unit and Santa Ynez pipeline system, which runs through several California counties.

The pipeline had been closed since 2015, after a burst pipe caused a massive oil spill, one of California’s worst to date. Hundreds of animals, including birds and marine wildlife, died after being coated in crude oil.

Sable, which took over ownership of the pipeline from ExxonMobile in 2024, has been attempting to restart its offshore oil production for over a year but has failed to secure necessary permits from California regulators.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/17/oil-california-pipeline-iran

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Oh well (pun not intended), under new ownership, that means everything is hunky-dory now...

[chowder66]

1. THE Asshole started the damn problem so he's making more problems to cover for his original problem....Rinse and Repeat

The Trump administration remains committed to putting all Americans and their energy security first,” said Wright in a statement.

“Unfortunately, some state leaders have not adhered to those same principles, with potentially disastrous consequences not just for their residents, but also our national security. Today’s order will strengthen America’s oil supply and restore a pipeline system vital to our national security and defense, ensuring that west coast military installations have the reliable energy critical to military readiness.”
.......

“Donald Trump started a war, admitted it would spike gas prices nationwide, and told Americans it was a small price to pay,” said Newsom in a statement.

“Now he’s using this crisis of his own making to attempt what he’s wanted to do for years: open California’s coast for his oil industry friends so they can poison our beaches.

[walkingman]

2. The US government is hell-bent on destroying the natural world. It is shameful.

[jgmiller]

3. I have yet to see a good explanation of what exactly "oil is flowing again" means

There seems to be at least three things here. First there is an onshore pipeline, from what I can tell that is what leaked a decade ago. There there is the pipeline leading from the rig(s) to the shore and finally there is the rig(s) themselves. While pipelines have control valves that can be turned on and off pretty quickly an offshore rig is an entirely different beast. You don't just turn on a rig that has been shutdown for 10+ years.

They say oil is flowing and they imply its from the rig so has the rig been producing all of this time but not using this pipeline but another one or has it not been using a pipeline at all but loading tankers? If the rig wasn't in production for all of this time have they been working on bringing it into production and the war was just an excuse for what the feds planned to do all along?

[2naSalit]

4. I give it...

Two, maybe three weeks before there's a big spill.

[PhilG]

6. Leaker ?

and when it does have a spill, want to bet who Trump will blame it on?

[2naSalit]

7. Unquestionably...

On both counts.

Welcome to DU!

[pat_k]

5. How lovely. Unpermitted pipeline previously proven defective.

What could possibly go wrong?!

[FakeNoose]

8. They need to inspect these suckers on a daily basis

Any sign of a leak, shut it down immediately and repair it.

Makes sense?