The U.S. East Coast Fuel Deficit Pipeline is on the verge of being restarted

The 8850-kilometer pipeline was precautionarily closed last weekend after it was broken by Russian hackers through a colonial pipeline. Hackers used ransomware and wanted ransom money to release systems. It is not known how much they demand, and colonialism says it has no intention of paying for it.

Petrol over $ 3

This hack is already known as the largest hacking attempt related to energy infrastructure in the United States. The pipeline between Texas and New York accounts for half of petrol, diesel and kerosene supplies in the intermediate states. On a typical day, there is a pipeline equivalent to three million barrels of oil a day from the Gulf of Mexico.

The malfunction has caused major fuel shortages. Many gas stations in North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia have already run out of fuel, resulting in more fuel being sold. At the same time, petrol prices are rising by US standards. A gallon (3.8 liters) now costs more than $ 3.

Extra parking

Air travel is also affected. Colonial Pipeline serves all seven airports, including Atlanta, the world’s second busiest airport. Many airlines had to make extra stops on long-haul flights to refuel from Atlanta because they could not carry enough kerosene.

The FBI confirmed on Monday that Russian cyber mob Darkside was behind the hack. The hackers made themselves heard a day later. According to them, this was never intended to destabilize society, but they were after money. They promise to choose their goals more carefully from now on.

Suspension Jones Act

Meanwhile, the US government is taking steps to curb rising fuel shortages. In addition to the call not to stockpile, the Department of Homeland Security has suspended more than 100 years of Merchant Maritime law to provide guarantees for deliveries from the Gulf to Mexico.

Named after U.S. Senator Wesley Jones, the Jones Act prohibits companies from operating between US port ships that are not built in the United States and are not fitted with U.S. crews. The exception applies to an individual company. It is not known which company.