Colonial Pipeline, one of the leading U.S. fuel pipeline operators, has shut its network after a cyber attack, Reuters reported.
Colonial Pipeline’s network supplies fuel from U.S refiners on the Gulf Coast to the populous eastern and southern United States. The company transports 2.5 million barrels per day of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products through 5,500 miles (8,850 km) of pipelines.
Colonial Pipeline says it transports 45 percent of East Coast fuel supply.
The company learned of the attack on Friday and took systems offline to contain the threat. That action has temporarily halted operations and affected some of its IT systems.
The company has engaged a third-party cybersecurity firm to launch an investigation, and Colonial has contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies.
Colonial Pipeline did not give further details or say for how long its pipelines would be shut.
Colonial significantly shut down its gasoline and distillate lines during Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast in 2017.
