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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-07-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000805022</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BUCKEYE PARTNERS L P</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BPL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001407611</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Powers Vance E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5 TEK PARK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9999 HAMILTON BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BREINIGSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18062</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Acting CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>BPL limited partnership units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited partnership options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>42.1</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-02-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>BPL limited partnership units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3700</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited partnership options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>45.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-04-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-04-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>BPL limited partnership units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3700</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited partnership options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.73</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>BPL limited partnership units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3700</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited partnership options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>50.36</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>BPL limited partnership units</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VANCE E. POWERS</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-07-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
