Shell's controversial drilling rigs have already arrived in the Northwest but now it's up to the Port of Seattle to decide if that giant rig can make the trip south to Elliott Bay.
Mayor Ed Murray threw a serious barrier in front of the waterfront on Monday when he announced the port doesn't have the right permit to allow Shell's vessels to dock at Terminal 5.
Do they cancel a lease with the company Shell hired to take care of its vessels and risk costly legal penalties? Or do they let the oil company come here anyways despite the mayor's protests, a potentially illegal move?
The port commission met Tuesday to talk about their quandary but that meeting took place in executive session, behind closed doors, and they made no comments afterwards.
When the Port of Seattle commissioners originally voted to allow shell to dock its drill ships in Seattle, it was a close vote - three in favor of doing business with the oil company, two opposed.
All it would take is one yes vote changing their mind and the commission could cancel its deal with Shell.
Those discussions are taking place behind closed doors, in executive session.
Meanwhile at City Hall, voices on both sides of the issue spoke out on the mayor's announcement that a city permit does not allow maintenance of oil services equipment at the port.
Some in the business community worry about the message Seattle is sending to the world, when it tells a company it's not welcome here.
But will all this talk actually keep Shell away? We don't know… yet.
The port commission will meet again next Tuesday, this time it will be a public meeting.
