Pipeline problem could hike gas prices

oregonlive.com ^ | 5-25-04 | Doug Browning

[Indy Pendance]

Hold your breath.

Gas prices could take another quick jump later this week -- but maybe not.

The pipelines that deliver the Portland area's fuel, including gasoline, were shut down Sunday because of a fire at a pumping station in the Seattle suburb of Renton.

If the problem can't be fixed soon, gasoline would have to be trucked to Portland. That would be more expensive for local distributors -- and for you.

Bill Kidd of Olympic Pipe Line Co. told The Argus late Monday the company hopes to re-open the pipeline within a day or two.

But before making that decision, it has to inspect the entire 299-mile system to make sure it's safe.

This is the same pipeline that exploded and killed three people in Bellingham, Wash., five years ago. In 2001, a section of the pipeline in Renton burst during tests, spilling several thousand gallons.

Kidd said he had heard, but couldn't confirm, that Portland distributors probably have enough gasoline in storage tanks to survive a brief pipeline shutdown without having to arrange to run trucks down from northwest Washington.

But Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) said Monday its supplies were low and asked airlines to make sure flights to Seattle could take off again without refueling. Portland International Airport didn't have an immediate problem.

Four Puget Sound refineries, near Bellingham and Anacortes, deliver 4 billion gallons of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel via the pipeline each year.

It's actually four pipelines, ranging in diameter from 12 to 20 inches, that run from the Canadian border to Portland and are owned by Olympic's parent company, BP Pipelines North America.

Sunday's fire did not involve the main pipeline. It was in a "sample line" at the Renton pump station. That line, about the size of a garden hose, company officials said, is used for testing product quality.

The fact that the main line wasn't involved led the company to express hope of resuming operations sooner than later.

[Mister Baredog]

I heard Kerry was there to fix this problem today. It will be alright, Kerry said so, just elect him. HMMMMMM.... $.50/gal adjusted for inflation will be at least $.75 more per gallon.

But knowing all Oregonians are environmentalists, they won't mind, right?

[Who dat?]

Kidd said he had heard, but couldn't confirm, that Portland distributors probably have enough gasoline in storage tanks to survive a brief pipeline shutdown without having to arrange to run trucks down from northwest Washington.

Wow, that’s pretty impressive. That Oly pipeline has had its share of problems for decades.

All you have to do is watch the big truck plazas/travel plazas or whatever they call them now. Once you see trucks dumping fuel at BBT or Flying J that are based out of Boise or Seattle or Vallejo you’ll know things are getting tight.