Top US gas pipeline returns to ‘normal operations’ after six-day shutdown caused by cyber attack

The US’s top gas pipeline has resumed ‘normal operations’ after a six-day shut down caused by a cyber attack led to panic gas buying amid fears of shortages.

The Colonial Pipeline, which carries fuel from refineries on the Gulf Coast to New Jersey and supplies nearly half the East Coast’s gasoline and diesel, reported on Saturday that its system had returned to “normal operations”.

In a post on Twitter the company said: “Since this incident began, we have been clear that our focus was on the safe and efficient restoration of service to our pipeline system.”

It launched a restart of the system on Wednesday after the attack by ransomware, as reported by CNN.

The shutdown last week caused widespread panic buying and hoarding in the Southeast of the US.

The Colonial Pipeline carries the 100million gallons of fuel every day from New Jersey to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

It is responsible for 45% of fuel used on the East Coast.

The shut down caused gas shortages with prices reaching as$6.99 per gallon in Virginia this week.