Major fire at Australian oil refinery to impact nation’s petrol supplies

Australia’s fuel supply situation has worsened following a significant fire at the Corio oil refinery in Geelong, Victoria. The blaze, which erupted just before midnight on Wednesday, has sparked concerns about disruptions to petrol availability, especially as global oil markets face heightened tension. Emergency responders were swiftly deployed after reports of explosions and visible flames at the site.

The Corio refinery, owned by Viva Energy, is responsible for 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% of the country’s total production. While no injuries have been confirmed, the fire has led to warnings about air quality in the region. Although the facility remains partially active, output of jet fuel and diesel is being curtailed as a safety measure, with petrol production also affected.

Government and Industry Responses

Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlighted the timing of the incident, noting it coincides with Australia’s reliance on limited fuel reserves due to the ongoing oil crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. “This is not a positive development, but the full extent of the impact is still unclear,” he said during an interview with Nine’s Today show on Thursday. The minister emphasized collaboration with the refinery operator to assess the situation.

“We are focused on ensuring the site is secure rather than prioritizing production at this stage,” stated Scott Wyatt, CEO of Viva Energy. He noted that two petrol units were damaged, but other facilities remain undamaged. “Petrol will be affected, but we will resume full operations once safety is assured.”

Australia’s diesel prices have nearly doubled in recent weeks, contributing to shortages at some stations and prompting panic buying. Airlines have also reduced services due to rising jet fuel costs. Meanwhile, Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the fire as “unprecedented,” stating it could last several hours and that initial efforts to contain it were limited by its intensity. “Management is in shock,” he added, “and the fire must burn out on its own.”

According to Ronnie Hayden, secretary of the Victorian Australian Workers’ Union, approximately 50 to 100 workers were on-site when the fire began but were evacuated without incident. The refinery, which processes around 120,000 barrels of oil daily and employs over 1,100 people, is now under scrutiny as authorities investigate the cause. Preliminary reports suggest the incident was accidental.