Northwest Crisis: Main Oil Pipeline Shuts Down Again
The Northwest’s main oil pipeline, the Olympic Pipeline, is facing another shutdown. This closure marks the second time in a week that it has been offline. As a result, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency. The situation poses a risk of jet fuel shortages at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) by Saturday evening.
Emergency Declaration and Fuel Management
Governor Ferguson’s emergency proclamation allows fuel-truck drivers at the airport to exceed usual working hours for the next 14 days. This measure is essential to ensure that jet fuel delivery continues, despite the pipeline issues.
- Governor: Bob Ferguson
- Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Duration: 14 days for emergency measures
Previous and Current Spills
Energy company BP shut down the Olympic Pipeline on Monday after identifying a diesel leak while responding to an earlier jet fuel spill. This previous incident involved an undisclosed amount of jet fuel spilling into a drainage ditch at a blueberry farm near Everett on November 11. The earlier spill prompted a shutdown that lasted several days.
While BP restarted the pipeline on Sunday, they had to halt operations again the next day due to the new leak. BP spokesperson Cesar Rodriguez stated there is currently no schedule for resuming pipeline activity.
Impact on Sea-Tac Airport
Despite the pipeline closure, an airport spokesperson reassured travelers that there are no immediate impacts on flight operations. Sea-Tac’s most recent jet fuel delivery occurred on Monday. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airlines regarding flight statuses.
Fuel Contingency Plans
Alaska Airlines is preparing for potential fuel shortages by implementing contingency plans. These strategies include:
- Tankering in fuel on inbound flights to Seattle
- Evaluating tech stop options for certain routes
- Expanding trucking operations to increase fuel supply
Sea-Tac Airport is a significant consumer of jet fuel, dispensing over 600 million gallons annually. This consumption accounts for up to 25% of all climate-harming emissions from King County, according to the county’s 2022 greenhouse gas inventory.
About the Olympic Pipeline
The Olympic Pipeline stretches 400 miles, transporting diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel from four oil refineries located in the Puget Sound region to customers in Washington and Oregon. Ongoing issues with the pipeline have raised concerns about fuel availability in the Northwest.
