Crack in major fuel pipeline affects deliveries to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Airlines serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are being warned they may need to conserve fuel due to a problem with a major pipeline that supplies jet fuel to the airport.

Carriers have been warned that they may need to “transfer” fuel to Seattle, a practice in which planes load additional fuel at their departure city to arrive with enough to operate their next flight without refueling at SeaTac.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News that a crack in the Olympic Pipeline near Everett, Washington, is the cause of significant delays in fuel deliveries to the airport.

A police report obtained by ABC News indicates that SeaTac’s fuel reserves could begin to run out as early as Monday. Currently, fuel is transported by trucks rather than delivered via pipelines, a process described as inefficient since only two trucks can unload into a tank at a time.

To keep fuel flowing, sources say, Olympic Pipeline Company is calling drivers from neighboring states and the Washington State Patrol is waiving driving hour restrictions to speed up deliveries.

SeaTac officials told ABC News they are aware of the situation and are monitoring it closely. The airport maintains it has sufficient reserves and does not foresee any major impact on Monday. Airlines are prepared to implement contingency plans if necessary.

The 400-mile Olympic Pipeline, partially owned and operated by BP, transports refined fuel products through Washington and Oregon. Pipeline problems were blamed for rising gasoline prices in the region in September, although it is unclear whether that disruption is related to the ongoing jet fuel supply problem.

In 1999, an explosion on the Olympic pipeline in Bellingham, Washington, killed three people.

ABC News contacted BP for comment on the current outage but did not receive a response.