If you own property through which the Las Flores Pipeline System (formerly known as Plains’ Line 901 and Line 903) passes, you may be entitled to a payment from a class action settlement

Important Update: The Settlement received Final Approval from the Court on September 17, 2024 and is now effective. You may review the Order Granting Final Approval of Proposed Settlement here.

Payments will be made out to the owners of Class Properties as indicated in public records and will be mailed to the address on file in county tax assessor records or other comparable sources. If you are unsure whether you are a Class member entitled to compensation, or if you have questions about the payee name or address for a Class Property in which you have a valid, legal interest, please contact the Settlement Administrator.
 

• A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit called Grey Fox, LLC et al. v. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. et al., No. CV 16-03157 PSG (C.D. Cal.) (JEM).
• The lawsuit was first filed on May 6, 2016 by property owners who had Easement Contracts or Right-of-Way grants (“Easements”) with Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. and Plains Pipeline, L.P. (“Plains”) or its predecessors. These Easements allowed Plains’ Line 901 and 903, now called the Las Flores Pipeline System (the “Pipeline”), to be installed and operated through their properties. Among other claims, the lawsuit asserted that the Easements had terminated for all Class Properties because the pipeline companies had failed to use, operate, and maintain the Pipeline for many years.
• The Settlement has been reached between the Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the Court-certified Class of other property owners along the Pipeline, and the new owners of the Pipeline and Easements. The new owners are Pacific Pipeline Company (“PPC”) and Sable Offshore Corp., collectively with PPC, “Settling Parties.” PPC purchased the Pipeline from Plains in October 2022, and Sable purchased PPC in February 2024. 
• The Settlement covers all owners of real property, as of the Opt-Out Deadline, through which the Pipeline passes pursuant to Right-of-Way Grants or via condemnation (“Class Properties”). You are a Settlement Class Member if you own one of these properties and do not Opt Out of the Settlement.
• As part of the Settlement, the Settling Parties agree to pay $70 million to the Class, and agree that the Easements do not allow them to install a second, new pipeline, for example by replacing the existing one. The Settling Parties also agree to make reasonable efforts to obtain governmental approval for the installation of automatic shutoff valves, a safety feature. Each Class Property will receive at least $50,000. Some Class Properties will receive more than $50,000, depending on the property’s size, value, Easement language, and what repairs or other work will occur on that property. In exchange, the Class agrees that the Easements permit the repair and operation of the Pipeline. The Class also agrees that Sable is allowed to record a notice for each property (1) stating that the Easements remain in effect and permit the repair and operation of the Pipeline, including taking any action required by governmental authorities to repair and/or operate the Pipeline, (2) clarifying the terms of any automatic termination clauses in the Easements, (3) suspending any such automatic termination clauses for five years, and (4) affirming that the easements permit the construction of automatic shutoff valves and related above- and below-ground structures. Finally, the Class agrees not to oppose efforts by the Settling Parties to obtain governmental approval for the automatic shutoff valves. Attorneys’ fees, court costs, and settlement administration costs will also be paid from the settlement fund.
• The Settlement fully, finally and forever resolves, discharges and settles the PPC claims in this lawsuit.
• The Settlement received Final Approval from the Court on September 17, 2024 and is now effective. Payments will be distributed to all qualifying Settlement Class Members.