Fear of fuel shortage in US after cyber attack on pipeline

The operation of the Colonial Pipeline’s oilseed rescue has been put out of action after it was subjected to a computer attack last Friday.

The company says it hopes to have the pipeline, which supplies about 45 percent of all fuel to the east coast of the United States, back in operation by the end of the week.

The shutdown has nevertheless created fears that a lack of fuel will cause prices to skyrocket before Memorial Day, which is an unofficial start to the travel season in the country. On Tuesday, there were long queues at many gas stations of people who panicked buying petrol, diesel and other fuel.

According to oil industry analyst Patrick De Haan, the national average price on Tuesday reached 2.97 dollars per gallon, equivalent to about 3.8 liters. This is the highest level since 2018. He nevertheless warns against overreacting, and points out that the price petrol stations pay for petrol has only increased by a few cents in the southeastern United States. He believes that no sharp price jump is expected in the area.

On Tuesday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a week-long break in the rules for emissions and air pollution in several states to remedy the supply problems.

According to the FBI, the hacker group Darkside, which is described by Western security experts as a criminal network, is behind the attack.

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