Sable Offshore is still planning to resume Santa Ynez Unit production by October. However, according to John Smith, production in 2024 is not a possibility. The following permitting gauntlet remains:
- State Fire Marshal permit for onshore pipeline.
- Santa Barbara Planning and Development permit.
- California State Lands Commission decision on the pipeline right of ways (ROWs) in state waters. (Those ROWs had expired.)
- Transfer of leases to Sable – Environmental groups, the California Coastal Commission and/or other parties could file suit challenging the transfer of the leases to Sable.
According to John, the question is not whether production will resume in 2024, but whether it will ever resume. And John reminds us that as of 1/1/2026, the SYU and all of the headaches revert to Exxon. See the SYU overview below:
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 
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