SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—The company calls them “validation digs” to determine whether potential corrosion identified during inspections requires repairs. Environmental advocates are questioning the permitting for the work.
Six months after oil began flowing again through Sable Offshore’s pipeline, the company is digging up 12 locations to investigate potential corrosion identified during pipeline inspections.
The company calls the work “validation digs,” which are intended to expose sections of the pipeline so more precise measurements can be taken directly at locations where inspection equipment identified potential anomalies.
Santa Barbara County says the work is required under a federal pipeline safety permit and is being directly overseen by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA.
The County says the digs are designed to confirm the accuracy of the pipeline inspection tools and determine the actual characteristics of the anomalies. The work may or may not result in repairs.
“We've been afraid from the beginning that this is a corroded pipeline. How can you possibly fix it?” said Linda Krop, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Center. “And sure enough, the very first tests show that there's problems with the pipeline.”
Environmental concerns and permitting questions
The Environmental Defense Center is also questioning whether Sable has the proper permits to conduct the work, particularly at locations within the Coastal Zone.
Krop said the excavation itself could affect sensitive coastal areas.
“They cannot conduct this type of activity because it harms habitats and wetlands and, you know, sensitive plants and wildlife,” Krop said. “And they cannot do this work in the coastal zone without getting a coastal permit. And they don't have one.”
Krop said the EDC is looking to Santa Barbara County and the California Coastal Commission to enforce what it considers to be the permitting requirements.
Santa Barbara County says it is currently evaluating its role in the matter, including how state law applies to Sable's proposal.
The County has also provided the Coastal Commission with information received from Sable and is coordinating with the commission on potential next steps.
Dispute over regulatory authority
There is also an ongoing dispute over which agency has regulatory authority over Sable's Las Flores pipelines.
CAL FIRE's Office of the State Fire Marshal says PHMSA asserted authority over the pipelines beginning in December 2025. However, CAL FIRE disputes PHMSA's authority.
CAL FIRE declined to comment further, citing ongoing litigation over the issue.
Santa Barbara County says PHMSA is directly overseeing the validation dig work.
The County has requested that Sable provide information discovered during the excavation work.
What happens if corrosion is found?
If the inspections determine that a section of pipeline has lost 40% or more of its wall thickness, repairs would be required.
For now, it is unclear whether any of the 12 locations will ultimately require repairs.
Krop said the EDC is not opposed to necessary repairs but wants to ensure they are performed properly.
“We don't want to stop necessary repairs,” Krop said. “We want to make sure they're done right, and maybe the pipeline has to be shut down until the repairs are done. We don't know how serious the repairs are.”
The validation digs are expected to provide more information about the condition of the pipeline and whether additional work is necessary.
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