A major fire at the Viva Energy Geelong oil refinery, one of only two in Australia, raised fears about petrol supplies after erupting just before midnight local time on Wednesday. Fire Rescue Victoria responded to multiple reports of explosions and flames in the industrial suburb of Corio. The blaze involved liquid fuels and gases in the refinery's motor gasoline unit.
All staff members, around 100 people according to Australian Workers Union branch secretary Ronnie Hayden, were safely evacuated from the site. No injuries were reported. The Country Fire Authority has since downgraded its threat alert, stating there is no threat to the public, though firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
The refinery processes about 120,000 barrels of oil per day. Two petrol production units were affected by the fire, according to Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt. Jet fuel and diesel are also being made at reduced levels as a safety precaution. Wyatt stated they will only increase production again once they are confident they can do so safely. Energy Minister Chris Bowen warned of impacts to petrol production.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen called the fire "not great timing" given the pressure on Australia's fuel supplies since war broke out in Iran. Bowen told Nine News that the fire would mainly impact petrol production. He added that production of jet fuel and diesel is continuing at the refinery at reduced levels for safety reasons as a precaution. Bowen is working closely with the company and an investigation into the incident will occur.
The Corio refinery supplies more than 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% of Australia's fuel. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj told ABC Radio Melbourne that the fire was "unprecedented" and would burn for some hours.
Australia imports 90% of its refined fuel needs, primarily from countries like Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia. Yuan Chen, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Sydney, said this diversified supply chain provides a degree of resilience against short-term domestic disruptions. Hussein Dia, a professor of transport technology and sustainability at Swinburne University, said the fire narrows the buffer Australia has to absorb shocks.
People in Geelong and the surrounding area have been told to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off heating and cooling systems. Approximately 300,000 people live in the port city, about an hour's drive from Melbourne.
A major fire at the Viva Energy Geelong oil refinery, one of Australia's two remaining, disrupted operations after erupting just before midnight local time on Wednesday. Fire Rescue Victoria responded to multiple reports of explosions and flames in the industrial suburb of Corio. The blaze, involving liquid fuels and gases in the refinery's motor gasoline unit, burned for 13 hours before being extinguished on Thursday.
All staff members, around 100 people according to Australian Workers Union branch secretary Ronnie Hayden, were safely evacuated from the site. No injuries were reported. The Country Fire Authority has since downgraded its threat alert, stating there is no threat to the public, though firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
The refinery, which processes about 120,000 barrels of oil per day, is partially operational, but the government has warned of impacts to petrol production. Two petrol production units were affected by the fire, according to Viva Energy chief executive Scott Wyatt. Jet fuel and diesel are also being made at reduced levels as a safety precaution. Wyatt stated they will only increase production again once they are confident they can do so safely.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen called the fire "not great timing" given the pressure on Australia’s fuel supplies since war broke out in Iran. Bowen told Nine News that the fire would mainly impact petrol production. He added that production of jet fuel and diesel is continuing at the refinery at reduced levels for safety reasons as a precaution. Bowen is working closely with the company and an investigation into the incident will occur.
The Corio refinery supplies more than 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% of Australia's fuel. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj told ABC Radio Melbourne that the fire was "unprecedented" and would burn for some hours. Authorities have warned of disruptions to domestic fuel supply. Diesel prices in Australia have already doubled in recent weeks, with fuel stations reporting shortages amid reports of panic buying.
Australia imports 90% of its refined fuel needs, primarily from countries like Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia. Yuan Chen, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Sydney, said this diversified supply chain provides a degree of resilience against short-term domestic disruptions. Hussein Dia, a professor of transport technology and sustainability at Swinburne University, said the fire narrows the buffer Australia has to absorb shocks.
People in Geelong and the surrounding area have been told to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off heating and cooling systems. Approximately 300,000 people live in the port city, about an hour's drive from Melbourne.
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