Sable Offshore Corp. Shares Plunge Amid Lawsuit and Cash Crisis
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SOC?
Source: Benzinga
Sable Offshore Corp. shares fell 15.89% to $10.43 on Friday, primarily due to California Attorney General filing a lawsuit to block oil transport through the Sable Pipeline, indicating significant legal hurdles for the project.
The lawsuit filed by California's Attorney General poses serious challenges for Sable Offshore, as it seeks to prevent the restart of oil transport through the Sable Pipeline. Additionally, Hunterbrook Capital has raised concerns about Sable's cash crisis, suggesting that the company may not reach the point of selling oil, which has intensified investor worries about its future viability. The combination of legal and financial pressures has led to a significant decline in stock value, reflecting market unease about the company's operational future.
The implications of these developments are profound, as Sable Offshore faces not only regulatory hurdles but also a potential cash shortfall that could hinder its ability to operate effectively. Investors are likely to remain cautious as the company navigates these challenges, and the stock may continue to experience volatility in the near term.
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Analyst Views on SOC
Wall Street analysts forecast SOC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SOC is 22.50 USD with a low forecast of 19.00 USD and a high forecast of 29.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 7.330
Low
19.00
Averages
22.50
High
29.00
Current: 7.330
Low
19.00
Averages
22.50
High
29.00
About SOC
Sable Offshore Corp. is an independent oil and gas company focused on developing the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU) in federal waters offshore California. SYU consists of three offshore platforms and a wholly owned onshore processing facility located along the Gaviota Coast at Las Flores Canyon in Santa Barbara County, California. The offshore position comprises 16 federal leases across approximately 76,000 acres. The Company’s Hondo platform and the Harmony platform develop the Hondo Field, and the Heritage platform develops the Pescado and Sacate Fields. The platforms are located five to nine miles offshore of Santa Barbara County in shallow water depths of 900 to 1,200 feet and service 112 wells, comprised of 90 producers, 12 injectors and 10 idle with an additional 102 identified, undrilled opportunities. The onshore facilities occupy approximately 35 acres and are comprised of an oil treating plant, a biologic/physical water treating plant, POPCO gas plant, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Sable Offshore Discloses $250 Million Stock Offering Amid SEC Investigation
- Stock Offering Plan: Sable Offshore Corp. disclosed a $250 million stock offering in a regulatory filing aimed at funding operations, despite facing investigations from the SEC and federal prosecutors in New York.
- Investigation Context: The company is accused of sharing sensitive data with specific high-profile investors, including professional golfer Phil Mickelson, which could lead to civil and criminal penalties against the company and its executives, impacting its reputation and future financing capabilities.
- Financial Condition: Despite raising $250 million in November, the company reported only $98 million remaining at the end of last year, indicating tight liquidity that may affect its operational and expansion plans.
- Stock Price Volatility: Sable Offshore's shares have dropped over 70% in the past six months, currently trading at $8.22, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects and potentially undermining investor confidence.
See More
Sable Offshore Shares Plunge Amid Investigation and Stock Sale
- Stock Plunge: Sable Offshore Corp. shares fell over 10% on Tuesday after the company revealed it received subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and SEC, indicating market concerns over potential legal risks.
- Funding Plan: The company entered into an agreement with TD Securities and Jefferies to sell up to $250 million of common stock through an at-the-market offering, highlighting the urgency to raise up to $200 million in equity by the end of 2025.
- Investigation Context: A report by Hunterbrook alleged that CEO Jim Flores privately disclosed multiple updates to select investors, including golfer Phil Mickelson, raising regulatory scrutiny over selective disclosure practices.
- Legal Challenge: California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the Trump administration over the planned restart of two onshore oil pipelines owned by Sable, citing environmental risks and asserting state jurisdiction, which adds further legal and operational pressure on the company.
See More
Sable Offshore Launches $250M Equity Offering Amid Liquidity Concerns
- Equity Offering Announcement: Sable Offshore has disclosed a plan to launch an at-the-market equity offering of up to $250 million through TD Securities and Jefferies, aimed at addressing general corporate needs and capital expenditures.
- Liquidity Pressures: As of year-end 2025, Sable Offshore reported $97.7 million in unrestricted cash, while facing estimated monthly liquidity needs of $25 million to $30 million, indicating significant financial strain.
- Capital Expenditure Outlook: The company anticipates approximately $475 million in additional capital expenditures to implement its offshore vessel strategy, contingent on obtaining regulatory approvals, which heightens its financial risk profile.
- Stock Price Decline: Sable Offshore's shares have plummeted nearly 70% over the past six months, primarily due to uncertainties surrounding its controversial efforts to restart its oil pipeline in California, leading to skepticism among investors regarding its future prospects.
See More
Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC) Shares Plunge 15.89% Amid Lawsuit and Cash Crisis
- Stock Plunge: Sable Offshore Corp. shares fell 15.89% to $10.43 on Friday, primarily due to California Attorney General filing a lawsuit to block oil transport through the Sable Pipeline, indicating significant legal hurdles for the project.
- Cash Crisis: Hunterbrook Capital claims that Sable is quickly running out of cash and may never reach the point of selling oil, intensifying investor concerns about the company's future viability.
- Regulatory Challenges: Under California law SB 237, Sable must install specific safety valves, but the company has reportedly struggled with implementation, leading to further technical and regulatory delays that hinder project progress.
- Local Opposition: Santa Barbara County has denied the transfer of essential permits from Exxon to Sable, citing the history of the 2015 Refugio spill, which poses greater challenges for Sable in securing necessary development permits.
See More
Sable Offshore (SOC) Drops 14.1% After California AG Sues Trump Administration Over Pipeline Restart
- Legal Action Impact: California's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for unlawfully restarting Sable Offshore's pipeline, resulting in a 14.1% drop in the company's stock on Friday, indicating market uncertainty regarding its operational future.
- Pipeline Reclassification Controversy: The lawsuit claims the Trump administration illegally reclassified the Las Flores pipeline as 'interstate,' despite it operating between two California counties, which could lead to stricter regulatory scrutiny for the company.
- Historical Context: The dispute has persisted since the drilling project was shut down in 2015 due to an oil spill, highlighting Sable Offshore's long-term challenges with environmental and legal risks that may affect its future investment appeal.
- Market Reaction: Investor skepticism regarding Sable Offshore's prospects has increased, particularly amid political and legal pressures, leading to a significant decline in confidence in its valuation and potential future financing difficulties.
See More
California AG Challenges PHMSA's Pipeline Restart Permits
- Lawsuit Initiated: California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's federal jurisdiction over Sable Offshore's Las Flores pipelines, arguing this move violates state regulations and could exacerbate environmental risks.
- Pipeline Restart Controversy: The Las Flores pipelines have been shut down for a decade since the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill, and the AG's lawsuit may further delay their restart plans, impacting the company's future operations and revenue.
- Emergency Permit Approved: Despite the legal challenges, PHMSA issued an emergency special permit in December for segments of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, allowing Sable to implement enhanced integrity management practices, indicating regulatory support for the pipeline's restart.
- Significant Stock Volatility: Following the Attorney General's scrutiny, Sable Offshore's shares plunged over 14% on Friday, reflecting a 62% decline over the past 12 months, indicating market pessimism regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
Sable Offshore Discloses $250 Million Stock Offering Amid SEC Investigation
- Stock Offering Plan: Sable Offshore Corp. disclosed a $250 million stock offering in a regulatory filing aimed at funding operations, despite facing investigations from the SEC and federal prosecutors in New York.
- Investigation Context: The company is accused of sharing sensitive data with specific high-profile investors, including professional golfer Phil Mickelson, which could lead to civil and criminal penalties against the company and its executives, impacting its reputation and future financing capabilities.
- Financial Condition: Despite raising $250 million in November, the company reported only $98 million remaining at the end of last year, indicating tight liquidity that may affect its operational and expansion plans.
- Stock Price Volatility: Sable Offshore's shares have dropped over 70% in the past six months, currently trading at $8.22, reflecting market concerns about the company's future prospects and potentially undermining investor confidence.
See More
Sable Offshore Shares Plunge Amid Investigation and Stock Sale
- Stock Plunge: Sable Offshore Corp. shares fell over 10% on Tuesday after the company revealed it received subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and SEC, indicating market concerns over potential legal risks.
- Funding Plan: The company entered into an agreement with TD Securities and Jefferies to sell up to $250 million of common stock through an at-the-market offering, highlighting the urgency to raise up to $200 million in equity by the end of 2025.
- Investigation Context: A report by Hunterbrook alleged that CEO Jim Flores privately disclosed multiple updates to select investors, including golfer Phil Mickelson, raising regulatory scrutiny over selective disclosure practices.
- Legal Challenge: California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the Trump administration over the planned restart of two onshore oil pipelines owned by Sable, citing environmental risks and asserting state jurisdiction, which adds further legal and operational pressure on the company.
See More
Sable Offshore Launches $250M Equity Offering Amid Liquidity Concerns
- Equity Offering Announcement: Sable Offshore has disclosed a plan to launch an at-the-market equity offering of up to $250 million through TD Securities and Jefferies, aimed at addressing general corporate needs and capital expenditures.
- Liquidity Pressures: As of year-end 2025, Sable Offshore reported $97.7 million in unrestricted cash, while facing estimated monthly liquidity needs of $25 million to $30 million, indicating significant financial strain.
- Capital Expenditure Outlook: The company anticipates approximately $475 million in additional capital expenditures to implement its offshore vessel strategy, contingent on obtaining regulatory approvals, which heightens its financial risk profile.
- Stock Price Decline: Sable Offshore's shares have plummeted nearly 70% over the past six months, primarily due to uncertainties surrounding its controversial efforts to restart its oil pipeline in California, leading to skepticism among investors regarding its future prospects.
See More
Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC) Shares Plunge 15.89% Amid Lawsuit and Cash Crisis
- Stock Plunge: Sable Offshore Corp. shares fell 15.89% to $10.43 on Friday, primarily due to California Attorney General filing a lawsuit to block oil transport through the Sable Pipeline, indicating significant legal hurdles for the project.
- Cash Crisis: Hunterbrook Capital claims that Sable is quickly running out of cash and may never reach the point of selling oil, intensifying investor concerns about the company's future viability.
- Regulatory Challenges: Under California law SB 237, Sable must install specific safety valves, but the company has reportedly struggled with implementation, leading to further technical and regulatory delays that hinder project progress.
- Local Opposition: Santa Barbara County has denied the transfer of essential permits from Exxon to Sable, citing the history of the 2015 Refugio spill, which poses greater challenges for Sable in securing necessary development permits.
See More
Sable Offshore (SOC) Drops 14.1% After California AG Sues Trump Administration Over Pipeline Restart
- Legal Action Impact: California's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for unlawfully restarting Sable Offshore's pipeline, resulting in a 14.1% drop in the company's stock on Friday, indicating market uncertainty regarding its operational future.
- Pipeline Reclassification Controversy: The lawsuit claims the Trump administration illegally reclassified the Las Flores pipeline as 'interstate,' despite it operating between two California counties, which could lead to stricter regulatory scrutiny for the company.
- Historical Context: The dispute has persisted since the drilling project was shut down in 2015 due to an oil spill, highlighting Sable Offshore's long-term challenges with environmental and legal risks that may affect its future investment appeal.
- Market Reaction: Investor skepticism regarding Sable Offshore's prospects has increased, particularly amid political and legal pressures, leading to a significant decline in confidence in its valuation and potential future financing difficulties.
See More
California AG Challenges PHMSA's Pipeline Restart Permits
- Lawsuit Initiated: California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's federal jurisdiction over Sable Offshore's Las Flores pipelines, arguing this move violates state regulations and could exacerbate environmental risks.
- Pipeline Restart Controversy: The Las Flores pipelines have been shut down for a decade since the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill, and the AG's lawsuit may further delay their restart plans, impacting the company's future operations and revenue.
- Emergency Permit Approved: Despite the legal challenges, PHMSA issued an emergency special permit in December for segments of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, allowing Sable to implement enhanced integrity management practices, indicating regulatory support for the pipeline's restart.
- Significant Stock Volatility: Following the Attorney General's scrutiny, Sable Offshore's shares plunged over 14% on Friday, reflecting a 62% decline over the past 12 months, indicating market pessimism regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
