Home / Disasters and Accidents / Australia's Fuel Supply Threatened by Refinery Fire
Australia's Fuel Supply Threatened by Refinery Fire
16 Apr
Summary
- Fire broke out at Viva's Corio oil refinery near Melbourne.
- The refinery supplies 50% of Victoria's and 10% of Australia's fuel.
- Petrol production may be impacted, but no injuries were reported.
A major fire ignited at Viva Energy's Corio oil refinery near Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, raising immediate concerns for Australia's fuel security. The incident occurred just before midnight on Wednesday, with emergency services responding to reports of explosions and flames. This refinery is crucial, supplying 50% of Victoria's fuel needs and 10% of the national supply.
Fortunately, no personnel were injured during the event. The fire continues to burn, prompting air quality warnings for the surrounding area. While the refinery remains partially operational, producing jet fuel and diesel at reduced rates as a safety measure, the government acknowledges potential disruptions to petrol output. Investigations into the fire's cause are underway, with early indications suggesting it was an accident.
Viva Energy's CEO stated that site safety is the priority, and while two petrol production units were affected, others remain undamaged. The company will only resume full production once safety is assured. The Australian Workers' Union confirmed that all workers present were safely evacuated. Local officials described the fire as unprecedented and anticipate it will burn for several more hours due to its intensity.
