A jet fuel spill has led to the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline, the primary oil conduit in the Pacific Northwest. Spill-response teams initiated digging operations on a blueberry farm near Everett on Tuesday to determine the cause of the leak. The incident, which first came to light on November 11, has prompted concerns due to the proximity of the spill to the Snohomish River, a critical waterway in the area.
The Olympic Pipeline, a 400-mile network of pipes operated by BP, transports gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel from refineries along Puget Sound to various locations including Seattle and Portland. The leak occurred in one of two parallel underground pipes—one measuring 16 inches and the other 20 inches—specifically in the larger of the two. Responders have deployed containment booms and vacuum trucks to manage the situation and prevent further contamination, and barriers have been put in place to protect the river from any additional fuel flow.
Though the larger pipe remains offline, the smaller one resumed operations on November 16, allowing fuel to continue to reach customers, including Sea-Tac Airport. Officials from the airport indicated that they were informed of the situation on November 14 and assured that no disruptions to flights occurred. “We never got to that point,” said airport spokesperson Perry Cooper, adding that sufficient fuel reserves were maintained to meet operational needs.
Despite these measures, there has been no official estimate from BP or state regulators regarding the amount of jet fuel that has leaked. The Washington Department of Ecology noted that the spill was reported approximately 2,000 feet away from the Snohomish River crossing. While the spill itself is not currently threatening local water bodies, concerns linger due to a previous incident in 2023 when the Olympic Pipeline leaked 21,000 gallons of gasoline in Skagit County, leading to extensive cleanup efforts.
In light of the ongoing investigation, officials have refrained from disclosing the last inspection date of the affected pipeline segment. The situation highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring in maintaining the integrity of vital infrastructure in the region. Environmental authorities remain focused on mitigating any potential harm while ensuring that fuel supply operations can continue with minimal disruption.