An out-of-control hearth at one in all Australia’s two remaining oil refineries in a single day is ready to have an effect on the provision of petrol and diesel.
Simply after 11:00pm on Wednesday night time, a hearth broke out on the Viva Power facility within the Geelong suburb of Corio, an hour south-west of Melbourne – with authorities confirming the blaze has but to be introduced beneath management. No accidents have been reported.
A spokesperson for the Australian Staff’ Union mentioned the hearth started within the jet gasoline manufacturing space, however defined the provision of oil is interconnected with petrol and diesel manufacturing on the refinery.
It’s understood the oil refinery processes as much as 120,000 barrels of oil each day, supplying greater than 50 per cent of petrol, diesel, jet gasoline, and LPG to Victoria.
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“At this level, manufacturing of jet gasoline and diesel is constant on the refinery at decreased ranges for security causes as a precaution,” federal power minister Chris Bowen instructed Channel 9’s At the moment program.
“At this level, the impression is especially on petrol manufacturing, however clearly, that is very early days.”
The precise impression on the state’s gasoline provide is unknown at this stage, and it’s not but clear how lengthy it can take for repairs to be made.
The incident couldn’t have come at a worse time, with CarExpert reporting final month that Australia’s different oil refinery, positioned in Brisbane, is ready to close down for six weeks because of deliberate upkeep by proprietor Ampol – starting in August 2026.
“The necessary position Australian refineries play in supporting the resilience of our home gasoline provide is being strengthened within the present world oil market atmosphere,” Ampol’s managing director and CEO, Matt Halliday, mentioned on the time.
Fireplace Rescue Victoria says the blaze on the Corio plant has been contained to an space measuring round 30 by 30 metres, with 50 home equipment at present preventing flames of as much as 60 metres, The Age stories.
With sensors having been broken within the hearth, it’s not identified how a lot gasoline is left to maintain feeding the hearth. The trigger additionally stays unknown at the moment.
Whereas there isn’t any menace to the general public, a smoke warning has been issued for Geelong residents.
As of Monday (April 13), Mr Bowen reported Australia had roughly 38 days’ price of petrol in reserve, 31 days of diesel, and 28 days of jet gasoline.
