Did Russian hackers blow up a Texas LNG pipeline on June 8?
According to two sources, around the time of Russia’s late February invasion of Ukraine, a cyber unit of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service again conducted targeting-reconnaissance operations against a major U.S. liquefied natural gas exporter, Freeport LNG.
U.S. LNG exports have long been a priority concern for Russia, viewed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a means for the United States to undercut Russia’s domination of the European gas market.
On June 8, Freeport LNG suffered an explosion at its liquefaction plant and export terminal on Texas’s Quintana Island. The damage suffered means the facility is not expected to resume major operations until late 2022. The June 8 disruption had an immediate impact in spiking already soaring European gas prices and has reinforced Russia’s ability to hold gas supplies to Europe at risk in retaliation for the European Union sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine. U.S. LNG futures have fallen significantly since the explosion.
One source tells me that the FBI is investigating the cause of the explosion. Responding to a question as to whether the FBI and its Cyber Division were involved in the investigation, the FBI told the Washington Examiner, “We can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation into this matter.”
But what actually happened on June 8?
Well, a June 14 press release from Freeport LNG notes that “the incident occurred in pipe racks that support the transfer of LNG from the facility’s LNG storage tank area to the terminal’s dock facilities. … Preliminary observations suggest that the incident resulted from the overpressure and rupture of a segment of an LNG transfer line, leading to the rapid flashing of LNG and the release and ignition of the natural gas vapor cloud. Additional investigation is underway to determine the underlying precipitating events that enabled the overpressure conditions in the LNG piping.” The statement added that federal authorities were assisting with its investigation.
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Boris and Natasha?
Could be Russia. But more likely is they upped the pressure on the pipes to pump more gas. This has happened several times before.
And since Joe is putting pressure on big oil to help the EU with it’s gas problems? More than likely that’s it.
I worked on pumping stations back in the 90’s to do just that for Northwest pipeline co.. With similar results. Mainlines and feeder lines started blowing up shortly after.
If the constructors cheapify the materials to low ball a bid, or increase profit. Parts wear out faster, are weaker to begin with, and have less tolerance for surges.
I’m sorry…is “Russian hackers” code for “the FBI”? I can’t keep it straight any more.