A federal court allowed Sable Offshore to resume oil production off Santa Barbara despite safety concerns and pending permits.

A federal appeals court has denied a request to halt Sable Offshore Corp.’s restart of oil production in Santa Barbara County, allowing the company to operate its offshore platforms under emergency federal permits. The decision follows the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s approval of Sable’s restart plan on December 22, citing a national energy emergency. Environmental groups challenged the move, citing safety risks, unresolved pipeline repairs, and skipped safety inspections, including weld checks. Despite a history of violations, including an $18 million fine and criminal charges, the court upheld the emergency exemption, setting a January 26 deadline for the first brief in the ongoing case. Sable still needs a state park easement to operate on state land, while the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors previously rejected local permit transfers. The company’s stock rose 30% after the ruling.