Offshore oil pumping activities in California are expected to resume within 24 hours after President Trump signed an executive order allowing the resumption of oil production near Santa Barbara, according to energy industry sources.
Sable Offshore Corp. notified the local fire department of its plan to “restore oil pumping operations within 24 hours.” This notification is part of standard safety procedures for industrial facilities involving hazardous material pipelines.
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Garrett Huff stated that this coordination helps emergency responders stay prepared for potential incidents such as leaks, spills, or fires.
According to industry sources, restoring production at the Santa Ynez oil rigs off the coast of Santa Barbara could increase California's domestic crude production by approximately 10%. The U.S. Department of Energy stated that the facility has the capacity to produce about 50.000 barrels of oil per day.
However, the impact on retail gas prices may take more time. Experts say crude oil must pass through the production and distribution chain before affecting the fuel prices consumers pay at the pump.
California currently has the highest gas prices in the U.S., often exceeding the national average by more than $2 per gallon. This is primarily due to declining state production and a heavy reliance on imported oil, leaving Americans under additional pressure regarding living costs.
The Santa Ynez rig and pipeline system was shut down in 2015 after an oil spill leaked thousands of barrels of crude into the Pacific Ocean. Houston-based Sable Offshore acquired the system from ExxonMobil in 2024 and has been lobbying the federal government for permission to restart.
President Trump's order has met with mixed reactions in California. Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to sue to block the decision, citing environmental risks, while Chevron previously warned that the state's climate policies could have major consequences for the energy sector.
Conversely, some energy industry figures and Republican politicians welcomed the federal government's decision. Steve Hilton, former Fox News host and California gubernatorial candidate, argued that the state needs to expand domestic oil and gas production instead of relying on imports.
Meanwhile, the campaign for San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, also a gubernatorial candidate, suggested that the federal decision is unlikely to have a quick impact on gas prices and could escalate the intense political controversy between state and federal authorities.
President Trump's order was issued just weeks after a federal judge...
