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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-12-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001421497</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Muslih Khalid A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FIVE TEK PARK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9999 HAMILTON BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BREINIGSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18031</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V.P., Corporate Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Barry D. Bortz attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-12-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
