ENER Breaking: Alpharetta based Colonial Pipeline shuts down gas lines after cyberattack - FBI says Russia Russia Russia
- Thread starter SmithJ
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annieosage
Inactive
My SIL never gets excited about anything. He's 18 years USAF and literally when I read things to him he's like when I tell you to panic then panic. Until then, relax and just be prepared.
He just called and said to make sure and keep my vehicle topped off. He said this is huge. He's not panicking but is very concerned.
He just called and said to make sure and keep my vehicle topped off. He said this is huge. He's not panicking but is very concerned.
If I was travelling cross country, there would be a coupla extra fives in the back.
Especially if I was in a truck.
Especially if I was in a truck.
ShadowMan
Designated Grumpy Old Fart
Sure seems like "someone(s)" working up to cause some serious damage. Better stock up on everything you can while you can, cause I have a feeling this is going to one day totally blow up in our faces.
There are many ways to fight a war and bombs and bullets are just one of them. Expect the unexpected.
There are many ways to fight a war and bombs and bullets are just one of them. Expect the unexpected.
Milkweed Host
Veteran Member
Also, this means that gasoline containers could disappear from the stores.
Right now, I just use the regular tank in my truck. With all this going on, I just did a search for an extra tank.
All the normal retail outlets are showing just a few types. Last year they had many to choose from.
Dunno what or why, but it's worth noting.
All the normal retail outlets are showing just a few types. Last year they had many to choose from.
Dunno what or why, but it's worth noting.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
So, I went to get gas for my SUV this morning because I forgot to get some last night.
The biggest station in my immediate area (18 pumps for autos; not sure how many for semis) is the one I use most. They also are the closest station for semis near me. They were just putting a bag over the last automobile pump when I pulled in, so I had to go elsewhere.
The semis have to go behind the main building so I don't know what that side was like.
To be fair, this station has changed names at least 3 times in the last year or so and I think twice since Biden has been in office. Also, they have been closing off a few pumps at a time at least for a day or two ever since Biden took office.
But I have never seen them close off all of them.
It has been Kangaroo, Maverick I think and Circle K, but seems like I am forgetting one or more name changes.
The biggest station in my immediate area (18 pumps for autos; not sure how many for semis) is the one I use most. They also are the closest station for semis near me. They were just putting a bag over the last automobile pump when I pulled in, so I had to go elsewhere.
The semis have to go behind the main building so I don't know what that side was like.
To be fair, this station has changed names at least 3 times in the last year or so and I think twice since Biden has been in office. Also, they have been closing off a few pumps at a time at least for a day or two ever since Biden took office.
But I have never seen them close off all of them.
It has been Kangaroo, Maverick I think and Circle K, but seems like I am forgetting one or more name changes.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
The tiny station near my house jumped 20 or 30 cents since Wednesday, but they always raise their prices on weekends and holidays (but usually only 5 or 10 cents). I can't remember if it was 2.49 or 2.39 on Wednesday, but this morning it was 2.66. The prices in town (if they had any gas) ranged from $2.59 to $2.89
phloydius
Veteran Member
Went to top off our secondary vehicle (first is always topped off) this morning at about 8:50am. No lines, no price increase from a couple of days ago (still $2.49 for Chevron).
Austin, Tx.
phloydius
Veteran Member
Would you be willing to give a City, State, or Region?
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
NE Alabama on Sand Mountain.
Plain Jane
Just Plain Jane
Zerohedge
ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero
www.zerohedge.com
Cyberattack Forces Shutdown Of Largest Gasoline Pipeline In United States
BY TYLER DURDEN
SATURDAY, MAY 08, 2021 - 11:33 AM
The largest gasoline pipeline on the East Coast, and the US in general, was shut down on Friday after its operator struggled to contain a cyberattack which threatened its systems.
The 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline, which is the single largest refined-products pipeline in the United States, halted transit as the company was forced to take "certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations," according to The Wall Street Journal on Saturday. It's reportedly still offline into early Saturday.
Colonial Pipeline SystemColonial's network is responsible for supplying fuel that originates with refiners on the Gulf Coast to most of the eastern and southern US, accounting for over 2.5 million barrels per day in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, or other refined products transferred, making up 45% of all the East Coast's fuel supply. It spans from Texas through southern states and up to New Jersey.
"At this time, our primary focus is the safe and efficient restoration of our service and our efforts to return to normal operation," the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company stated. "This process is already underway, and we are working diligently to address this matter and to minimize disruption to our customers."
The disruption earlier in the day Friday saw Gulf Coast cash prices for gasoline and diesel push lower, though longer-term price effects will depend on just how long the lines remain shut. If the closure persists further into the weekend or even early next week, it's very likely to send gasoline prices soaring.
The last time there was a significant shutdown of Colonial's lines was during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which shot spot Gulf Coast gasoline prices to a five-year high and diesel to near a four-year high.
This fresh cyberattack against vital American infrastructure has reportedly already seen federal agencies and law enforcement get involved, alongside a third-party cybersecurity firm brought in by Colonial to launch an investigation. Some of the early details of the investigation suggest a ransomware attack, which is being reported as follows:
Though there appears little in the way of culprits or suspected individuals or entities that may have carried out the attack at this early period of the investigation, we can expect the Biden administration to hold this up as a prime example of why his ambitious cybersecurity and power grid protection initiative is urgent and essential.
It also comes after the White House's April 15 sanctions rollout targeting Russian officials and entities for alleged involvement in the SolarWinds hack. The need for an overhaul of cybersecurity and protections of US government and civil infrastructure networks has been a major theme of this administration, also stemming from leading Democrats quickly blaming Moscow for pretty much every hack which targets American companies or agencies for much of the past five years, despite cases often lacking any evidence as to responsible parties. The Iranians and Chinese have also increasingly brought in alongside the Russians as prime nefarious actors in terms of cyberthreats.
However, as was recently admitted in a Wired piece on the Oldsmar, Florida water supply systems hack wherein chemicals were added to the town's water at dangerous levels, there's also many instances of "unsophisticated" lone wolf hackers able to sometimes penetrate overly exposed systems.
But there's little doubt that in this major instance of the Colonial pipeline going offline, we expect any moment to hear screams of "Russians!" - even before any evidence is publicly made available, if it gets presented at all.
bobfall2005
Veteran Member
I think this.
The receive storage tanks, have a bunch if capacity. Unless they are abnormally low, you won't see true shortages for a week or so.
Unless someone timed it with those receive storage tanks being low.
Plenty of time to fill up your stuff.
A public panic might start a real shortage.
Or
Someone high in business or government clouds, could hit the panic button.
If they get the pipeline going by Tuesday or Wednesday, this won't effect the public.
I am topping off stuff. But, it's not hair on fire time.
closet squirrel
Veteran Member
Have a friend who works for a company that does testing on the gas that comes into the refineries in Baltimore. He just sent a group text telling everyone to fill up.
bobfall2005
Veteran Member
Top off everything.
But you gots lots of time.
bobfall2005
Veteran Member
Forgot.
Unless this a group of attacks.
I have not heard that. Yet.
If this is part of a larger attack:
Drop your normal stuff,
And hit your personal panic button.
But for now, I am not hitting the big red button.
Unless this a group of attacks.
I have not heard that. Yet.
If this is part of a larger attack:
Drop your normal stuff,
And hit your personal panic button.
But for now, I am not hitting the big red button.
jward
passin' thru
Well our defense doctrine permits full scale retaliation--- perhaps we needed a back up plan in case Ukraine/Russia didn't take hold?
What is on my mind is the hope that "they" whomever they are, stick to pipelines; I can live longer being inconvenienced than I can without water, for instance : (
..as an aside, I often thought that the reason DJT stopped short of the full quiver of options he had was threats of these kinds of denials of service. :: shrug ::
What is on my mind is the hope that "they" whomever they are, stick to pipelines; I can live longer being inconvenienced than I can without water, for instance : (
..as an aside, I often thought that the reason DJT stopped short of the full quiver of options he had was threats of these kinds of denials of service. :: shrug ::
AlfaMan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This is indeed HUGE. 2.5 million barrels a day x the number of days it's going to take to restart the pipeline = at least!!!! 10 MILLION barrels of fuels all of a sudden not accessible.
Gas prices are going to recoil like a snake about to strike. Colonial has pipelines all over the northern VA area; one goes straight to the tanks at Dulles airport! It's going to slow down a LOT of industry; couple that with the piss poor jobs report that just came out too. Jimmy Carter's "malaise" period for the country is going to look like sunshine and unicorns pooping skittles by comparison!
I saw an Exxon station in NW DC yesterday with $ 4.29 a gallon premium. Bet it will be 5 bucks a gallon by Monday morning.
And a HUGE THANK YOU !!!! to all those newer members sharing info from friends and the like. That's what makes TB2K THE place to be on the internet.
Gas prices are going to recoil like a snake about to strike. Colonial has pipelines all over the northern VA area; one goes straight to the tanks at Dulles airport! It's going to slow down a LOT of industry; couple that with the piss poor jobs report that just came out too. Jimmy Carter's "malaise" period for the country is going to look like sunshine and unicorns pooping skittles by comparison!
I saw an Exxon station in NW DC yesterday with $ 4.29 a gallon premium. Bet it will be 5 bucks a gallon by Monday morning.
And a HUGE THANK YOU !!!! to all those newer members sharing info from friends and the like. That's what makes TB2K THE place to be on the internet.
Cyclonemom
Veteran Member
With the means to protect it.
TxGal
Day by day
Fox News has it (and it was the headline on Drudge a while ago; CNN has it. Everyone will know soon.):
Cyberattack forces closure of largest US refined-fuel pipeline | Fox Business
Cyberattack forces closure of largest US refined-fuel pipeline
Colonial Pipeline carries roughly 45% of gasoline and diesel fuel consumed on the East Coast
By Collin Eaton and Dustin Volz The Wall Street Journal
The main pipeline carrying gasoline and diesel fuel to the U.S. East Coast was shut down by its operator after being hit with a cyberattack.
Colonial Pipeline Co. operates the 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline system taking fuel from the refineries of the Gulf Coast to the New York metro area. It said it learned Friday that it was the victim of the attack and "took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations."
The outage isn't expected to have a significant impact on fuel markets unless the pipeline remains shut down for several days, analysts said.
Oil storage tanks owned by the Colonial Pipeline Company in Linden, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
The cyberattack on Colonial appeared to involve ransomware, a type of code that attempts to seize computer systems and demand payment from the victim to have them unlocked, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investigation was in its early stages, the person said.
The company said it had engaged a third-party cybersecurity firm to help with the issue, which affected some of its IT systems, and had contacted federal agencies and law enforcement.
FireEye Inc., a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm, is investigating the attack, according to people familiar with the matter. A FireEye spokesman declined to comment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which works with critical infrastructure companies on cyber defense, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
It wasn't clear whether the attack was perpetrated by a nation-state actor or criminal actor. Attributing cyberattacks is difficult and can often take months or longer.
The Colonial Pipeline is the largest refined-products pipeline in the U.S., transporting more than 100 million gallons a day, or roughly 45% of fuel consumed on the East Coast, according to the company's website. It delivers fuels including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and heating oil and serves U.S. military facilities.
"At this time, our primary focus is the safe and efficient restoration of our service and our efforts to return to normal operation," the company said in a statement. "This process is already under way, and we are working diligently to address this matter and to minimize disruption to our customers."
Colonial spokeswoman Kelsey Tweed said the company didn't have further details to provide at this time.
Vehicles are seen near Colonial Pipeline in Helena, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Inventories of gasoline have been readied for the summer driving season and usually get replenished every five to six days. But if the pipeline remains offline for days, shortages at terminals that receive fuel in the southeastern U.S. and Atlantic Coast markets could begin to affect retail stations and consumers, said Andy Lipow, president of consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.
"It's similar to a hurricane event where the pipeline gets shut down, so if it's for a day or two then the impact will be mitigated," Mr. Lipow said.
The fuel artery is critical to supplying the northeastern U.S. and other markets, and extended shutdowns of the pipeline have caused fuel prices to jump in previous years. Starting full operations in the 1960s, it is also among the many aging U.S. pipelines that were built before 1970.
An outage lasting more than five days could have sharp consequences for fuel supplies, particularly in the southeast U.S., as inventory levels there are fairly tight, said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for Oil Price Information Services, or OPIS, an IHS Markit company.
"If you were looking at the top 20 public targets that you could really wreak havoc with by screwing with the software, the Colonial Pipeline is in that group," Mr. Kloza said. "It's a big deal."
Still, areas along the northern Atlantic Coast have ample fuel supplies amid a rise in foreign imports, particularly from Europe, he said.
Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure or key companies, some by suspected foreign actors, have become a growing area of concern for the U.S. national security officials.
Russian hackers, for example, have been blamed by Western intelligence agencies for temporarily downing parts of Ukraine's power grid in the winter. Pipelines have long been viewed as an area of concern for these kinds of attacks, in part because halting their operations can have immediate impact.
President Biden in April announced punitive measures against Russia, blaming suspected Russian agents for a month-long hack of the U.S. government and some of America's biggest corporations.
That attack involved SolarWinds Corp. , a network-management software firm whose software was one of the primary entry-points for the hackers, but extended beyond its software. It has been described as one of the worst instances of cyber espionage in U.S. history.
U.S. officials in recent months have ramped up warnings about such hacks. The number of ransomware incidents has risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, cybersecurity experts say, targeting schools, hospitals and companies.
On Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said his agency is dedicating more resources to counter ransomware aimed at locking up government and private-sector computer networks. And the Justice Department last month announced a new task force dedicated to ransomware.
"The threat is real. The threat is upon us. The risk is to all of us," Mr. Mayorkas said.
Mike Chapple, a cybersecurity expert at the University of Notre Dame and former National Security Agency official, said the Colonial Pipeline attack appeared to show the hackers were "extremely sophisticated" or that the systems weren't properly secured.
"This pipeline shutdown sends the message that core elements of our national infrastructure continue to be vulnerable to cyberattack," Mr. Chapple said.
If the attack originated from malware or ransomware that infected systems, potentially inadvertently, then network issues could be fixed in a matter of days or weeks, depending on how well prepared Colonial was to respond to an attack, said Grant Geyer, chief product officer of software firm Claroty, which specializes in industrial cybersecurity.
But if a nation-state directed the attack, it would require an extensive cybersecurity response to fix vulnerabilities that could serve as a "backdoor" for infections later.
"A lot of the systems that control industrial environments are managed by, in some cases, antiquated Windows systems that are rife with vulnerabilities," Mr. Geyer said, adding the problem is particularly acute in the energy industry.
Miguel Bustillo and David Uberti contributed to this article.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
Yep, it has been on FOX news since at least early this morning.
SmithJ
Veteran Member
In the southeast, along the gulf from Mississippi to south Florida, much of the gasoline is delivered to terminals by sea. That’s my understanding anyway.
Colonial runs up inland feeding Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta and then on into the northeast and eastern seaboard.
Thats where the greatest impacts should be. But I’m not in the industry, I just have a general understanding
SmithJ
Veteran Member
Yes, there are feeder pipelines all up the mid Atlantic and eastern seaboard that come off the Colonial to service terminals.
Mark Armstrong
Veteran Member
In my part of mid-Missouri, up 10 cents a gallon since I got gas on Wednesday.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
It's already making international headlines, I'm going to go fill up here in a bit since I have five days worth of travel to do next week.
Cyclonemom
Veteran Member
Parents in western IA heard a news report couple hours ago that shutdown will extend to TX??
Can find no sauce to confirm. Yet.
Can find no sauce to confirm. Yet.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
On this thread.
Posts 13, 29, 53 and 63 should give you an idea; some even have maps of the pipeline rt and I believe on article said how many hubs/stations there are.
TxGal
Day by day
KHOU out of Houston has an article on the shutdown now, but makes no mention of issues here, just on the east coast.
Nothing so far on The Statesman (Austin), or KSAT (San Antonio), or KBTX (Bryan/College Station). or any of the sites I checked in DFW. That's just at this moment, it could change in a flash.
rob0126
Veteran Member
TxGal
Day by day
For those who may want to track gas prices in their area, try Gas Buddy and see if it shows prices in your area:
GasBuddy - Find The Nearest Gas Stations & Cheapest Prices | Save On Gas
GasBuddy - Find The Nearest Gas Stations & Cheapest Prices | Save On Gas
So just had more communication with friend. States that because of storage tanks he doesn't think anything will come of this. Is not anxious about coming back on line. Cannot confirm that that storage tanks are full. He doesn't appear to be concerned. Now remember that I don't make the news just report it!
At present they are more concerned about forced vaccinations. I guess Colonial wanted to force all employees to take vaccinations but corporate lawyers advised them against it. The family does not feel that battle is over.
At present they are more concerned about forced vaccinations. I guess Colonial wanted to force all employees to take vaccinations but corporate lawyers advised them against it. The family does not feel that battle is over.
Or a huge over reaction against a convenient target that may or may not be related. You know, not letting a crisis go to waste and all of that.....
rob0126
Veteran Member
Yep. Even if they get the lines back up by next week(best case scenario), it will cause a huge ripple in the fuel supply chain.
If folks think we are short of truck drivers now, wait till they cant move because of fuel disruptions.
Might as well panic now and beat the rush.
If it was ransomware, they may be locked out of the SCADA or such?