Colonial Pipeline resumes 'normal operations'

May 15 (UPI) -- Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline announced Saturday that it's resumed "normal operations" after last week's ransomware attack that led to gas shortages throughout the United States.

The oil pipeline company said it's now delivering millions of gallons per hour to the markets it serves in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"Since this incident began, we have been clear that our focus was on the safe and efficient restoration of service to our pipeline system. That is what we have achieved through the commitment and dedication of the many Colonial team members," the company said in a statement on Twitter.

Colonial was the victim of a cyberattack May 7 that crippled its normal operations of delivering about 100 million gallons of fuel per day. The shutdown led to a fuel shortage throughout the region and panic buying at gas pumps.

The attack came from DarkSide, a criminal organization based in Eastern Europe. Colonial restarted operations Wednesday after paying some $5 million in ransom, according to Bloomberg News. The company said it's taken time to return to full operations.