BP pipeline leak prompts fuel emergency, threatens Thanksgiving travel in Pacific Northwest

BP's Olympic Pipeline system remained shuttered on Monday following a fuel leak near Everett, Washington, prompting an investigation by the company and authorities and forcing airlines to activate contingency plans as the busy Thanksgiving travel week ramps up.

The product discharge, initially reported on November 11, led BP to shut down two pipelines east of Everett. 

Although one of the lines was briefly restored, it was subsequently shut down again, resulting in a halt of refined product deliveries on the system.

"Over 200 feet of pipeline have been excavated to date. Crews are operating around the clock and will continue overnight operations tonight," BP was quoted as saying in a Reuters report.

Fuel emergency

Governor Tina Kotek has declared a fuel emergency in response to the closure of the 400-mile Olympic Pipeline system. 

This system is crucial, as it typically supplies over 90% of Oregon's transportation fuels—including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel—to Portland terminals for statewide distribution. The pipeline moves refined petroleum products from northern Washington to Oregon.

The company has not yet provided a timeline for restarting the pipeline, and the total amount of product leaked is still being assessed.

Activation of Oregon's emergency management plan was ordered by Kotek.

This action was taken to manage the situation and involved coordination with the state's energy and transportation departments.

Following a pipeline shutdown, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared an emergency last week due to the resulting disruption of jet fuel supplies to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac).

A spokesperson indicated that major operational disruptions have been avoided at Sea-Tac, as airlines are utilising their contingency plans.

Travelers are advised to check with their specific airline for the latest information regarding their flight.

Backup plans

Major US carriers, including Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have rolled out comprehensive strategies aimed at mitigating the expected wave of flight disruptions during the high-volume Thanksgiving travel period. 

Recognising the potential for inclement weather, air traffic control congestion, and operational hiccups that historically plague this holiday, these airlines are implementing proactive measures to safeguard the travel experience for millions of passengers.

Alaska Airlines, for instance, has focused on optimising crew and aircraft scheduling to build in more buffer time between flights, reducing the cascading effect of minor delays. 

They have also reportedly invested in advanced de-icing technology and improved communication systems to streamline ground operations during adverse conditions.

Alaska Airlines tackled fuel shortages by tankering fuel on flights arriving from Seattle, boosting its fuel delivery trucking capacity, and adding an extra fuel stop to about twelve daily flights.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines has adopted a multi-faceted approach. This includes deploying a higher number of reserve pilots and flight attendants across their key hubs to quickly cover any unscheduled absences. 

Also, Delta is supplementing its fuel reserves at Sea-Tac by using tanker trucks for extra fuel. 

Furthermore, the carrier confirmed to Reuters that it has incorporated refueling stops into several domestic long-haul flights departing from the airport.