NEW YORK, April 1 (Reuters) - The Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission issued an order to suspend Colonial

Pipeline's proposed changes to fuel shipping terms for seven

months.

Colonial Pipeline sought FERC's approval last month to stop

shipping different grades of gasoline at the same time and to

reduce the total number of grades it moves on the pipeline.

The regulator has accepted and suspended the revised tariff

record for seven months to reflect proposed modifications, a

filing shows. The regulator will hold a paper hearing to explore

the issues raised by Colonial Pipeline and fuel shippers.

Oil majors including Exxon Mobil ( XOM ), Chevron Corp ( CVX )

and BP Plc filed protest notices with the

regulator, citing potential harm to shippers and consumers in

order to boost Colonial profits.

Colonial rejected the arguments, saying they were driven by

the protesting shippers' focus on their own economics. It said

the proposed changes will allow it to ship up to 10,000 barrels

a day more gasoline on its main gasoline pipeline, which almost

always runs full, benefiting both shippers and consumers.

Colonial Pipeline did not immediately respond to Reuters'

request for comment.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao in New York)