Fuel begins to flow through Colonial Pipeline; some diesel, gas shortages persist

Gas stations and truck stop across the South and Southeast continue to have supply problems because of the Colonial Pipeline closing. (Sharkshock / Shutterstock.com)
Gas stations and truck stop across the South and Southeast continue to have supply problems because of the Colonial Pipeline closing. (Sharkshock / Shutterstock.com)

After being idled for six days, the Colonial Pipeline that supplies diesel, gasoline and other petroleum products to much of the Southeast and East Coast is operating again. However, there are many gas stations and travel centers that are without fuel or are restricting sales.

The 5,500-mile-long pipeline from Texas to New Jersey was taken offline after Russian cybercriminals attacked the company's computer system with ransomware. 

As of 7 a.m. Eastern this morning, May 13, 71% of the gas stations in North Carolina and 55% in Virginia were without gasoline, according to GasBuddy, a platform that tracks fuel demand, prices and outages. And 49% of the stations in Georgia are without gas.

The company restarted the pipeline Wednesday evening, May 12, and today said every market the pipeline serves will receive fuel from the system by midday today.

Pilot is among the fuel outlets still coping with some shortages. The company this morning posted this to Facebook:

The impacts from the Colonial Pipeline situation are ongoing with continued high demand across the Southeast. Our fuel drivers and logistics team are doing everything they can to keep resupplying fuel to these affected regions. Please see below for store-specific updates on fuel availability. To find alternate nearby locations that have fuel, check the myRewards Plus app.

Pilot said all locations are open but some have some fuel shortages.

No Gas, Diesel Only:

  • Pilot #56, Kannapolis, North Carolina
  • Pilot #66, Braselton, Georgia
  • Pilot #295, Morristown, Tennessee
  • Pilot #417, Temple, Georgia
  • Pilot #420, Madison, Georgia
  • Flying J #683, Kenly, North Carolina
  • Pilot #4581, Bishopville, South Carolina
  • Pilot #4578, Winnsboro, South Carolina

No Gas or Diesel:

  • Pilot #346, Lugoff, South Carolina
  • Pilot #374, Marianna, Florida
  • Flying J #623, Quincy, Florida
  • Flying J #634, Temple, Georgia
  • Flying J #711, Blacksburg, South Carolina
  • Flying J #713, Latta, South Carolina
  • Pilot #4557, Carnesville, Georgia
  • Pilot #4567, Rock Hill, South Carolina
  • Pilot #4580, Prosperity, South Carolina
  • Pilot #6990, Kenly, North Carolina
  • Pilot #6996, Warsaw, North Carolina
  • Pilot #7976, Troutman, North Carolina

No Diesel:

  • Pilot #62, Florence, South Carolina
  • Mr. Fuel #64, Summerville, South Carolina
  • Mr. Fuel #72, Savannah, Georgia
  • Pilot #312, Tallapoosa, Georgia
  • Pilot #398, Vienna, Georgia
  • Pilot #4568, Graniteville, South Carolina
  • Pilot #4576, St. George, South Carolina

Love's

As of 8 a.m. today, Love's Travel Stops said on its website:

Due to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, select Love’s locations are experiencing intermittent diesel and gasoline outages. Love’s and its teams are working diligently to minimize outages to only a few hours. If extended diesel outages occur, Love’s will note which locations are affected on this page.

It lists 30 locations in the South and Southeast it says are experiencing temporary outages of diesel or gasoline. Love's also lists numerous locations in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia it says are at risk of fuel outages.

See those lists here. 

Travel Centers of America

TravelCenters of America today said it "has a dedicated team working closely with our suppliers and other partners, and we are bringing in product from other markets to maintain availability and to help minimize any potential disruptions. We are currently experiencing intermittent supply outages at sites and may be limiting the amount of gallons per purchase depending on location."