‘Unprecedented’ fire at Australian oil refinery to impact nation’s petrol supplies
Unprecedented Fire at Australian Oil Refinery Threatens Petrol Supplies
A significant fire erupted at Viva’s Corio oil refinery in Geelong, Victoria, on Wednesday, intensifying concerns about the country’s fuel availability during a worldwide shortage of oil. The incident, which began shortly before midnight, involved explosions and visible flames, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams. According to Fire Rescue Victoria, the blaze was attributed to equipment failure, though an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Refinery’s Operational Status
The facility, which generates 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of the nation’s total supply, remains partially active. While jet fuel and diesel production continue at lower levels, petrol output has been affected. Viva Energy’s chief executive, Scott Wyatt, emphasized safety as the top priority, stating that production would resume only after confirming the site is secure. “This is not our primary focus today… it’s getting the site safe,” he noted.
Government Response and Fuel Market Strain
Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted the timing of the fire as particularly challenging, with Australia’s fuel reserves already under strain due to the ongoing oil crisis sparked by the Iran war. “This is not a positive development, but obviously there’s a long way to go in terms of understanding the impact,” Bowen remarked during an interview with Nine’s Today show. He confirmed collaboration with the refinery’s management to assess the situation. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj called the fire “unprecedented,” noting its intensity may prolong the blaze for several hours.
Australia’s reliance on imported refined fuels, mainly from Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia, is expected to mitigate the long-term effects of the fire on domestic availability. However, experts caution that the disruption could reduce the country’s buffer against supply shocks. “This diversified supply chain provides resilience against short-term domestic issues,” said University of Sydney Professor Yuan Chen. “But it doesn’t mean people will run out of fuel tomorrow—just that the margin for error is smaller,” added Swinburne University’s Hussein Dia.
Impact on Consumers and Industry
The fire has already led to diesel price hikes, with costs doubling in recent weeks. Fuel stations report shortages, and panic buying has been observed. Airlines are also adjusting services as jet fuel expenses climb. Meanwhile, over 1,100 employees were evacuated safely after the fire started, with between 50 and 100 workers present at the time. Ronnie Hayden, state secretary of the Victorian Australian Workers’ Union, confirmed the evacuation was completed without incident.
“The fire is still burning and will have to just burn out. Because of the intensity, it was difficult for the fire units to do much other than to watch,” said Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj during an ABC interview.
