HOUSTON — A prominent Houston Oil Rig Accident Lawyer has highlighted the growing legal battle in California, where environmental groups have intervened in a lawsuit against Sable Offshore’s bid to restart oil production off Santa Barbara’s coast, according to recent reports (Los Angeles Times, August 22, 2025).
The intervention, approved by a federal court on July 25, 2025, involves five nonprofits, including the Environmental Defense Center, challenging the transfer of leases from ExxonMobil to Sable for the Santa Ynez Unit, dormant since the 2015 Refugio oil spill that released 140,000 gallons of crude.
The Houston-based lawyer, experienced in maritime injury cases, noted that offshore drilling has historically carried high risks for both workers and ecosystems, pointing to disasters such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers and spilled 377,514 metric tons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Legal experts often emphasize that negligence can worsen the impacts of such incidents.
The lawsuit stems from Sable’s $625 million purchase of ExxonMobil’s assets in February 2024, with environmentalists arguing the company violated the California Coastal Act by upgrading pipelines without permits, according to edhat.
Key issues in the dispute include:
Environmental Concerns: The 1969 Santa Barbara spill and 2015 Refugio disaster highlight ongoing risks.
Legal Violations: Sable faces an $18 million fine for unpermitted pipeline work.
Community Impact: Local groups fear oil spills could devastate tourism and wildlife.
The Houston Oil Rig Accident Lawyer stressed the importance of robust safety protocols, referencing laws like the Jones Act, which allows injured offshore workers to sue negligent employers.
As the case awaits filings by August 25, 2025, the outcome could reshape offshore drilling regulations and worker protections. Social media posts reflect local outrage, with @SBEnviroWatch calling Sable’s actions “reckless.”
Source: Los Angeles Times, Edhat
