Another energy problem caused by Katrina

About Us: System Map

Follow the link to a map of the Colonial Pipeline System, based in Alpharetta, GA, which bills itself as "America's Energy Lifeline."

Product flow stopped on Monday when large sections of the pipleline lost electric power because of Hurricane Katrina. Some interstate highway truckstops on the East Coast reported they had no deliveries since that time and began rationing gas, limiting 18-wheelers that may consume 140 gallons in a day's run to only 50 gallons.

Colonial ships dozens of grades of product including multiple grades of gasoline, kerosene and fuel oil. Typical volume is 100 million barrels per day.

Fortunately, there appears to have been no physical damage to the pipeline itself and Colonial is moving in generators under its control to power its pumping stations until utility service can be restored. As of yeaterday, the full system was to be operating at 25 to 35 percent of normal capacity. The company believes they can raise this to 50 to 60 percent and maintain that level until utility power is restored.

If restoring utility power to Colonial is going to take months rather than days, somebody better start thinking about moving more refined product from Texas up the East Coast by some other means to make up the minimum 40 million gallon per day shortfall.