‘Unprecedented’ fire at Australian oil refinery to impact nation’s petrol supplies
Unprecedented Fire at Australian Oil Refinery Threatens Petrol Supplies
Fire at Geelong Refinery Sparks Concerns
A significant blaze erupted at Viva’s Corio oil refinery in Geelong, Victoria, shortly before midnight on Wednesday, raising alarms about the country’s fuel availability during a global shortage. Emergency teams were swiftly dispatched after reports of explosions and flames. The facility, which generates 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of Australia’s total supply, remains partially active, with jet fuel and diesel production curtailed as a precaution. Despite no injuries reported, local authorities have issued alerts regarding air quality in the affected area.
“This is not great timing, given the nation’s fuel supplies are already under strain due to the ongoing oil crisis triggered by the Iran conflict,” said Energy Minister Chris Bowen during an appearance on Nine’s Today show. He emphasized that the situation’s full effects are still being assessed, stating, “Obviously, there’s a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is.”
The refinery, operational for 120,000 barrels of oil per day and employing over 1,100 workers, is currently evaluating the extent of the damage. Viva Energy’s CEO, Scott Wyatt, noted that safety is the top concern, explaining, “Production is not our primary priority today… it’s getting the site safe.” He confirmed that two petrol units were affected, though other parts of the facility remain undamaged.
“We’ll only begin ramping up production again once we’re confident in its safety,” Wyatt added, highlighting the temporary setback for the nation’s petrol output.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the fire as “unprecedented,” estimating it could persist for several hours. “I’ve spoken to management this morning, and they’re clearly shaken by this event,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “The fire is still burning and will have to burn out. Because of its intensity, fire units were limited in their ability to intervene beyond observation.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Workers’ Union’s state secretary, Ronnie Hayden, confirmed that 50 to 100 workers were evacuated safely from the refinery. The incident has also contributed to rising diesel prices, which have doubled in recent weeks, and reports of fuel station shortages amid panic buying. Airlines are adjusting services in response to increased jet fuel costs, further underscoring the disruption to the country’s energy landscape.
