<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-11-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001168397</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PACIFIC ENERGY PARTNERS LP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PPX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001040121</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WYLIE FORREST E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5900 CHERRY AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONG BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90805</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>See Remark (1) below</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5253</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.96</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5761</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1390</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.96</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4371</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4371</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>37.16</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">During 2006, the reporting person received grants of 5,253 restricted common units under the issuer's Long Term Incentive Plan, which were to vest upon the issuer meeting certain performance requirements or in the event of a change in control.  Upon effectiveness of the merger between the issuer and Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (&quot;Plains&quot;), the restricted common units vested.  The reported purchase price is the closing price of the issuer's common units on November 14, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Common units withheld to cover tax obligation arising upon vesting of restricted common units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Disposed of pursuant to merger agreement between the issuer, Plains, and other parties thereto, in exchange for 3,365 common units representing limited partner interests in Plains.  The reporting person received 0.77 Plains common units in exchange for each common unit of the issuer, and cash for any fractional units.  The reported purchase price is equal to 77% of $48.26, the closing price of Plains common units on November 15, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Remark (1) On the date of the reported transactions, the reporting person was a director and the Vice Chairman of Pacific Energy Management LLC, the general partner of Pacific Energy GP, LP, the general partner of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Forrest E. Wylie</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-11-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
