U.S. east coast to rely on petroleum inventories before main pipeline operation resumes: EIA

HOUSTON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Petroleum distribution terminals in the U.S. east coast will rely on inventories and alternative supplies until a main fuel pipeline resumes operation, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.

According to EIA, pipeline shipments move at approximately five miles per hour, so some markets may need to rely on inventories for several days after the Colonial Pipeline Company service is restored.

The Colonial Pipeline Company, operator of the pipeline carrying gasoline and diesel fuel to U.S. east and southeast parts, temporarily halted all pipeline operations after the cybersecurity attack involving ransomware was detected on Friday.

EIA said that before the fully restoration of Colonial Pipeline's service, markets along the Atlantic Coast with access to deepwater ports can receive limited imports from the global market and from marine shipments via coastwise compliant shipping originating from the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Central Atlantic and Northeast markets can import petroleum products from Europe and Canada, and they can also obtain supplies from in-region refineries, the agency said.

According to EIA's most recent Weekly Petroleum Status Report, on April 30, motor gasoline stocks in the New England and Central Atlantic regions were a combined 40.8 million barrels, or about 1 percent more than the five-year average. Total motor gasoline stocks in the Lower Atlantic region were 23.8 million barrels, 9 percent less than the five-year average.

The Colonial Pipeline is the largest refined-products pipeline in the United States, transporting more than 100 million gallons of fuel daily on the East Coast.