With a decade-long wait coming to an end once a platform off the coast of California switched back to oil production mode, the U.S. Interior Department has revealed a timeline for the resumption of oil output from two more platforms. As environmental groups are opposed to the restart of the platform trio, a legal challenge is underway, with new supporters entering the pool of members after a federal court enabled more groups to join the legal fight with oil and gas players.
After ExxonMobil completed the sale of the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU) assets in February 2024, including the onshore Las Flores Canyon Facility and the Pacific Pipeline Company Lines CA-324 and CA-325 (formerly Lines 901 and 903), the SYU assets were taken over by a new owner to handle the operations of three platforms.