**BP Identifies Leak in Olympic Pipeline, Resumes Fuel Flow to Seattle-Tacoma Airport**
**Meta Description:** BP has located the source of a leak in the Olympic Pipeline, allowing fuel flow to Seattle-Tacoma Airport to resume ahead of Thanksgiving travel.
**URL Slug:** bp-olympic-pipeline-leak-seattle-tacoma-airport
**BP Identifies Leak in Olympic Pipeline, Resumes Fuel Flow to Seattle-Tacoma Airport**
In a significant development for the Pacific Northwest, BP has successfully identified the source of a leak in the Olympic Pipeline, enabling the company to restart the flow of jet fuel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday. This timely action is expected to prevent major disruptions to Thanksgiving travel plans.
The Olympic Pipeline, stretching 400 miles (644 kilometers), is crucial for transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products from refineries near the Canadian border to distribution terminals across the Pacific Northwest, including major urban centers in Washington and Oregon.
The pipeline was shut down on November 17 after a farmer discovered a gas sheen in a drainage ditch on a blueberry farm near Everett, north of Seattle, on November 11. This incident prompted Washington Governor Bob Ferguson to declare a state of emergency, which included lifting restrictions on truck drivers’ working hours to facilitate fuel deliveries to Sea-Tac Airport. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a similar order shortly thereafter.
On Monday, BP excavated an area where two pipelines run parallel—one for gasoline and the other for jet fuel—and discovered the leak in the gasoline pipeline. This finding allowed BP to resume fuel flow to the airport while also formulating a repair plan for the affected gas pipeline. Officials and BP are currently assessing the extent of the gasoline leak, with responders deploying recovery equipment to contain and clean up the spill. BP has reported that no gasoline has been observed outside the immediate response area.
Washington Senator Maria Cantwell stated, “It will take a couple of days to replenish fuel reserves at the airport, but early indications suggest that travel will not be impacted.” She emphasized the need for robust pipeline safety oversight and improved leak detection technology, especially given that the leak was first noticed by a farmer rather than BP.
In a letter to BP, Cantwell raised concerns about the company’s inspection and maintenance practices, questioning how the leak went undetected until it was reported by the farmer. Airlines such as Delta and Alaska, which had implemented fuel stops on some flights, announced they would return to normal operations while continuing to truck in fuel until the airport’s reserves are fully restored.
The Olympic Pipeline has a history of leaks, including a tragic incident in 1999 that resulted in a fireball and the deaths of three individuals in Bellingham, Washington. This incident led to significant changes in federal pipeline regulations. More recently, a 2023 spill of 25,000 gallons (95,000 liters) near Conway, north of Seattle, contaminated nearby streams and wetlands. The Washington State Ecology Department has identified a corroded carbon-steel nut on a monitoring assembly as the cause of that leak.
As BP works to address the current situation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and reliability of the pipeline system that serves the region.
**FAQ**
**What caused the recent leak in the Olympic Pipeline?**
The recent leak was attributed to a corroded carbon-steel nut on an assembly used for monitoring, as identified by the Washington State Ecology Department.
