An estimated 900,000 people will travel through SEA for Thanksgiving; incident raises concerns Western Washington gas prices will increase 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today wrote to BP North America Chief Executive Officer Murray Auchincloss demanding immediate answers about the Olympic Pipeline leak that has cut off delivery of jet fuel to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) just days ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, there are concerns that the incident may increase gas prices in Western Washington for the next several weeks.

“The Olympic Pipeline, owned and operated by BP, has shut down two of its pipelines due to a leak identified by a local farmer near Everett, WA.,” wrote Sen. Cantwell. “As a result, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has lost its primary source of jet fuel immediately before the busiest travel holiday of the year. An estimated 900,000 people will travel through SEA for Thanksgiving, many of them trying to spend time with family and loved ones.”

More than 1,000 airplanes take off and land each day at SEA each day, and it will take 90 trucks every 24 hours to deliver even half of the fuel the airport needs on a daily basis. In addition to seeking information about the spill and about how quickly the pipeline can be returned to normal operation, Sen. Cantwell expressed disappointment at BP’s lack of operational awareness about their own pipeline.

“With so much riding on the reliable transportation of fuel through your system, pipeline safety and operational integrity must be top priorities,” continued Sen. Cantwell. “The fact that a blueberry farmer—not BP—first identified the spill, and that it is still not known for certain which of the two pipelines is leaking, raises significant concerns about the capabilities of the Olympic Pipeline’s leak detection systems and the adequacy of your inspection and maintenance programs.”

The full text of the letter to Mr. Auchincloss is below and HERE.

November 21, 2025

Dear Mr. Auchincloss,

The Olympic Pipeline, owned and operated by BP, has shut down two of its pipelines due to a leak identified by a local farmer near Everett, WA. As a result, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has lost its primary source of jet fuel immediately before the busiest travel holiday of the year. An estimated 900,000 people will travel through SEA for Thanksgiving, many of them trying to spend time with family and loved ones. I am also concerned about reports that this leak will raise Western Washington gas prices for the next several weeks, increasing the costs of local holiday travel plans.

The State of Washington, and the entire Pacific Northwest region, depends on SEA. It is a major hub for both Delta and Alaska Airlines, connecting to airports around the world and to regional airports in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The airport generates $17 billion in revenue for the region and supports more than 170,000 direct and indirect jobs. All of this activity depends on the ability of over 1,000 airplanes to take off and land each day — which requires reliable access to fuel. It will take 90 trucks in a 24-hour period to deliver even half of the fuel the airport needs.

In addition to the jet-fuel pipeline being shut down, another pipeline in the vicinity transporting gasoline throughout Western Washington has been shut down. This will cause the supply to gas stations to be constrained during a period of high holiday travel demand. The Seattle Times reported this could increase gas prices by 10 cents.

With so much riding on the reliable transportation of fuel through your system, pipeline safety and operational integrity must be top priorities. The fact that a blueberry farmer—not BP—first identified the spill, and that it is still not known for certain which of the two pipelines is leaking, raises significant concerns about the capabilities of the Olympic Pipeline’s leak detection systems and the adequacy of your inspection and maintenance programs.

Given the urgency of this situation, please provide a briefing to the Committee that answers the following questions no later than Monday, November 24, 2025. Please provide written response and responsive documentation to the following requests as soon as possible, but no later than November 28, 2025:

• What are BP’s plans to swiftly and safely repair the Olympic Pipeline and restore service? When do you expect service to resume?
• What was the cause of the leak?
• BP’s Cherry Point in Blaine, WA, is the largest refinery in the Pacific Northwest and the largest supplier of jet fuel to SEA. What actions are you taking to mitigate the disruption caused by the pipeline leak and ensure fuel continues to reach SEA?
• When was the last time the Olympic Pipeline was inspected in the area of the leak? Were any defects or concerns identified that could have indicated a need for maintenance? Please provide relevant documentation from the most recent inspection to support your answer.
• When was the last time the Olympic Pipeline underwent an inline inspection in the area of the leak? Were any defects or concerns identified that could have indicated a need for maintenance? Please provide relevant documentation from the most recent inspection to support your answer.
• Why was BP unable to detect the leak? Please describe the leak detection systems used on the Olympic Pipeline, including their performance standards, such as the smallest leak they can reliably detect.
• Please provide a copy of the inspection and maintenance plan for the Olympic Pipeline.
• What impact do you estimate the partial pipeline shutdown will have on regional gas prices?
• If Washington state drivers are forced to pay more for gasoline as the result of this leak, who will benefit from these higher costs and is BP developing any plans to compensate drivers who are being forced to pay more at the pump?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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