In the latest of the seemingly endless legal challenges to the Sable-Santa Ynez Unit production restart, the Environmental Defense Center alleges that the Federal (PHMSA) special permit violates the Pipeline Safety Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by failing to conduct necessary environmental reviews, public input processes, or proper safety findings. This and a June 25. 2026 EDC filing have similar themes.
Perhaps more interesting to OCS policy wonks is the attached Center for Biological Diversity filing challenging the extension of Hilcorp’s three Federal leases in the Liberty Unit, Beaufort Sea (map below). The Biden administration denied Hilcorp’s lease extension request in December 2024 and the leases were terminated. Hilcorp appealed the denial in February 2025, but in April 2025 the Dept. of the Interior rescinded the denial and the appeal was dismissed. In November 2025, Interior (BSEE) granted Hilcorp a five-year lease extension through 2029. Interesting case!
