‘Unprecedented’ fire at Australian oil refinery to impact nation’s petrol supplies
Major Fire at Australian Refinery Sparks Concern Over Fuel Supplies
A significant fire erupted at Australia’s Viva Corio oil refinery in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, shortly before midnight on Wednesday, following reports of explosions and flames. Emergency personnel responded swiftly to the scene, but the blaze continues to burn, prompting warnings about air quality in the area. The refinery, which generates 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of the country’s total, is still partially operational, though production levels for jet fuel and diesel have been reduced as a precaution.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasized the “not ideal” timing of the incident, as Australia’s fuel supply faces strain due to the global oil crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. He told Nine’s Today show on Thursday, “This isn’t a positive turn, but we’re still in the early stages of assessing the full consequences.” Bowen noted that while the fire is a setback, the extent of its impact remains uncertain. “There’s a long way to go before we understand the full impact,” he added.
Production and Personnel Impact
The facility processes approximately 120,000 barrels of oil daily and employs over 1,100 staff. Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt stated, “Our main focus today is ensuring the site’s safety rather than production.” He confirmed that two petrol production units were affected, though others remained undamaged. “We’ll resume full production only when we’re certain it can be done safely,” Wyatt explained.
“This is not a positive development, but obviously there’s a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is,” Bowen told Nine’s Today show on Thursday, adding he is working closely with the company.
Ronnie Hayden, state secretary of the Victorian branch of the Australian Workers’ Union, reported to the ABC that between 50 and 100 workers were present at the refinery during the incident but were safely evacuated. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the event as “unprecedented,” estimating the fire could last for hours. “I spoke with management this morning, and they’re clearly in shock,” Kontelj said to the ABC. “The fire is still active and will need to burn out naturally. Due to its intensity, the fire units had limited options but could only monitor the situation.”
With diesel prices in Australia doubling in recent weeks, fuel stations have reported shortages, and panic buying has intensified. Airlines are also adjusting services in response to rising jet fuel costs. The cause of the fire was attributed to “equipment failure,” Fire Rescue Victoria stated, while an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact origin. The situation remains under close scrutiny as officials assess both immediate and long-term effects on the nation’s petrol supply chain.
