Ransomware Attack Makes Largest Fuel Pipeline in U.S. to Close
Posted on 05/09/2021
Colonial Pipeline is the operator of the biggest gasoline pipeline in the U.S. Colonial Pipeline ceased operations late Friday after a ransomware attack. FireEye Inc. said its Mandiant incident response division is assisting with the investigation. Colonial Pipeline is a main channel for the eastern half of the U.S. when it comes to gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The Colonial Pipeline transports more than 100 million gallons of gasoline and other fuel daily from Houston to the New York Harbor. Colonial Pipeline has contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies.
Hackers stole a trove of data at Colonial Pipeline before locking computers with ransomware and demanding payment. The cybercrime gang called DarkSide stole around 100 gigabytes of data out of the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company’s network in just two hours.
Colonial is owned by five entities:
CDPQ Colonial Partners, L.P.
IFM (US) Colonial Pipeline 2, LLC
KKR-Keats Pipeline Investors, L.P.
Koch Capital Investments Company, LLC
Shell Midstream Operating, LLC