Officials from the Washington Department of Ecology, alongside representatives from British Petroleum (BP), are actively working to manage and evaluate a significant leak from the Olympic Pipeline that has resulted in the spillage of jet fuel into a drainage ditch near Lowell-Snohomish River Road in Snohomish. The Olympic Pipeline, a crucial network extending 400 miles, transports jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline from various refineries around Puget Sound to the Seattle region, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and further south to Vancouver and Portland.
The leak was detected on November 11, with initial reports indicating it occurred sometime last week on a blueberry farm. Fortunately, as of Thursday afternoon, BP stated that no fuel had been found beyond the designated response area. The pipeline system involved consists of two parallel pipes: one measuring 16 inches in diameter and the other 20 inches. The latter was identified as the source of the leak, prompting a temporary shutdown of both pipes. While operations resumed with the smaller pipe on Saturday, BP subsequently decided to shut down the entire system again on Monday afternoon.
In response to the situation, BP has initiated 24-hour excavation efforts to inspect the affected pipes and has yet to provide a timeline for when the operations might resume. Although operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport remain unaffected as of midweek, energy officials are closely monitoring the developments.
The Washington Department of Ecology is supporting cleanup initiatives, dispatching responders to mitigate fuel contamination and remove affected soils. This incident is not isolated; the Olympic Pipeline has a history of leaks in Washington State, including a breach in 2023 that led to the closure of a nearby elementary school south of Mount Vernon and a 2014 spill near Burlington where around 60 gallons of mixed fuel was released. The pipeline’s history is marked by safety concerns, including a tragic explosion in 1999 in Whatcom Falls Park, which resulted in three fatalities.
As authorities continue their response efforts, there is hope that the situation will be brought under control swiftly, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring public safety.