Pipeline that supplies fuel to SEA back online; second line remains shut off

The Olympic Pipeline line that supplies fuel to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is back online, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced via X Tuesday.

Ferguson said there are two lines in the Olympic Pipeline, and a leak was identified in the second one.

“There are two lines in the Olympic Pipeline: One that delivers fuel to SeaTac and another that carries other types of fuel. BP, the pipeline owner, has identified a leak in the second line and confirmed there is no leak in the line that supplies SeaTac,” Ferguson wrote.

Both lines were shut off as a precaution. The second line is still shut off while British Petroleum (BP), the company that operates the Olympic Pipeline, repairs the leak, Ferguson stated.

He noted there has not been a significant change in gas prices.

“We are closely coordinating on the repair and subsequent environmental cleanup, as well as monitoring the impact on gas prices. So far, we have not seen a significant change in gas prices,” Ferguson wrote.

Great news today: The pipeline that supplies fuel to SeaTac Airport is back online.

There are two lines in the Olympic Pipeline: One that delivers fuel to SeaTac and another that carries other types of fuel. BP, the pipeline owner, has identified a leak in the second line, and…

— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) November 25, 2025

Cause of Olympic Pipeline leak found over a week later

Crews working on the Olympic Pipeline found the cause of its leak after more than a week after it was identified.

The leak in pipeline, first discovered on Nov. 16, disrupted fuel supply to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), causing some flights to be rerouted or rescheduled.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell stated in a news release that a blueberry farmer first identified the leak.

According to BP, testing confirmed a leak in its 20-inch fuel pipeline. Crews are now working to repair the 20-inch segment and are developing plans for a partial restart.

The Olympic Pipeline is a 400-mile pipeline system running from Whatcom County to Portland. The Olympic Pipeline transports refined petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, to terminal sites in Seattle, SeaTac, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Portland.

State of emergency in WA in place for leak

Ferguson declared a state of emergency after a leak forced the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline.

The state of emergency is to ensure adequate jet fuel is delivered to SEA after a leak shut down the major fuel pipeline. The Olympic Pipeline, located near Everett, had a crack, prompting worries about delays in fuel distribution.

The order temporarily waives and suspends state regulations limiting the number of hours commercial vehicle operators can drive when transporting jet fuel, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office said in a news release. The proclamation ensures safe-driving measures are in place, the release said.

Pipeline leak discovered last week

This leak was discovered during routine maintenance on the 16-inch pipeline nine days ago between Everett and Snohomish. Early Sunday morning, Nov. 16, crews performed a leak test. Everything seemed to work, so they turned the pipeline back on, only to find more leaking the following day, shutting it down once more.

“The release was first reported after discovery of sheen in a drainage ditch in an agricultural field,” BP stated. “Responders have deployed boom and oil recovery equipment to contain and clean up the released product.”

Pipeline operators are now working with state and federal agencies to dig up the pipe, contain the leak, and repair it. There is not a clear picture about how much fuel has leaked, as of this reporting.

“The safety of personnel, the environment, and the community remains our highest priority,” BP said.

Airlines operating at SEA received a warning, according to ABC News, that they may need to preserve their jet fuel due to the pipeline issue.

“The Port of Seattle is aware of a continued disruption to the Olympic Pipeline that provides fuel around the region, including to SEA Airport,” the Port of Seattle stated. “Aircraft fueling is managed by the airlines, and there are no impacts to flights at this time. As the situation evolves, SEA operations is working closely with airline partners and Washington state departments on contingency plans.

“In addition, we’d note to travellers, as usual, they should continue to check with their airlines for the status of their specific flight,” the Port of Seattle continued in its statement.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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