A massive fire ravaged Viva Energy’s Corio refinery near Melbourne for 13 hours. Emergency crews extinguished the blaze Thursday after midnight explosions forced worker evacuations—no injuries reported.
The facility supplies 50% of Victoria’s fuel and 10% nationally. Two petrol units sustained damage, slashing production. Jet fuel and diesel output dropped as precaution amid the Iran war’s global oil squeeze.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen calls timing disastrous. Diesel prices doubled recently; stations face shortages from panic buying. Airlines cut flights as jet fuel costs soar.
Viva CEO Scott Wyatt confirms equipment failure sparked the blaze. Officials investigate while prioritizing safety before ramping output. The refinery processes 120,000 barrels daily, employs 1,100.
Australia imports most refined fuels from Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia. Experts note supply chain resilience cushions short-term hits, but buffers shrink against compounding shocks.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj labels it unprecedented, shaking local management.
