Pipeline closure hits airlines

RENTON – Officials are asking airlines not to refuel their planes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after a weekend explosion shut down the 400-mile pipeline system that delivers the airport’s jet fuel.

“We’ve asked the airlines to, when possible, fly in here with enough fuel on board to get to their next destination,” airport spokesman Bob Parker said Monday. “We think we have enough fuel on site to get us through late afternoon or early evening on Wednesday.”

Workers at Olympic Pipe Line Co.’s pumping station in Renton heard an explosion Sunday morning and saw 20-foot flames leaping from a small stainless-steel test line that runs off the main pipeline. The fire was put out in about three hours.

No one was injured, though three firefighters were checked at a hospital after fuel splashed on them.

Between 3,300 and 10,000 gallons of fuel leaked from the three-quarter-inch line, with much of it burning, Olympic President Bobby Talley said Monday. Officials found a pin-sized hole in the test line, but didn’t know what caused it or the fire.

Company officials were checking similar installations throughout the system to make sure no other problems were occurring.

Olympic’s pipeline system moves 12 million gallons of gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel through Western Washington every day – from refineries at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham, and March Point, near Anacortes, to as far south as Portland, Ore. A rupture of the main pipeline in 1999 at Bellingham killed three people after 237,000 gallons of gasoline erupted in a fireball in Whatcom Creek.

As a precaution, company officials shut down the entire system following Sunday’s explosion. The operator plans to complete repairs and restart the line late today, an Olympic Pipe Line spokesman said Monday night.

The repair and restart plan has been approved by the on-scene coordinators for both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Ecology Department, Olympic spokesman Michael Abendhoff said.

While major fuel delivery spots in Portland and at Seattle’s Harbor Island can be reached by barge or truck, the primary way to deliver fuel to Sea-Tac is through the pipeline, Parker said. The airport had 2.9 million gallons on hand and typically uses 1.2 million gallons per day.

The airport won’t have to close if Olympic takes longer than Wednesday to restart the pipeline, but airlines will have to be certain that their planes arrive with enough fuel to reach their next destinations, Parker said.

Alaska Airlines spokesman Lou Cancelmi said his airline had already started filling up its airplanes’ tanks in cities including San Francisco and San Jose whenever possible in order to reduce its reliance on fuel from Seattle.

But, Cancelmi said, Alaska and other airlines may have to consider canceling flights beginning Wednesday evening if the pipeline isn’t fixed.

Environmental officials were trying to determine how much fuel seeped into the ground, but Talley said a layer of clay underneath the facility should help contain the spill.

Carl Andersen, with the state Department of Ecology, said cleanup workers expected to be able to keep any fuel from reaching nearby Spring Brook Creek, which has a threatened population of chinook salmon.

Olympic was losing $10,000 in business every hour the pipeline was shut down, Talley said.

Last year Olympic filed for reorganization in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.