US EditionAustralia refinery fire worsens fuel supply crunch amid Iran war
The fire cut domestic jet fuel production and raised supply concerns, while officials said 50 firefighters responded and no injuries were reported.
- On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, a significant fire and multiple explosions erupted at Viva Energy Group's Geelong refinery in Corio, Victoria, prompting Fire Rescue Victoria to respond as the blaze remained not yet under control.
- The facility processes up to 120,000 barrels of oil daily, supplying over 50 per cent of Victoria's fuel and 10 per cent of Australia's needs, making it one of only two operational refineries in the nation.
- Fire Rescue Victoria contained the blaze to the mogas section where motor gasoline is produced, an area roughly 30 metres by 30 metres; all staff were accounted for with no injuries reported.
- Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated the incident "will impact production," with petrol output affected while jet fuel and diesel continue at reduced levels; investigations suggest the fire "appears to be an accident."
- Australia's reliance on imported fuel remains a vulnerability, as Professor Sajid Anwar said the fire represents "a critical stress test for Australia's energy resilience" amid reduced domestic refining capacity and global supply pressures.
139 Articles
139 Articles
Fire at Domestic Refinery Worsens Australia's Fuel Supply Crisis
Australia's fuel crisis in the wake of the Iran war just took a turn for the worse after a fire broke out at one of the only two refineries in the country. Viva Energy’s Corio oil refinery in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, caught fire late on Wednesday, after reports of explosions. The fire was extinguished on Thursday morning local time after burning for about 13 hours. The Corio refinery, one of Australia’s two remaining processing plants, s…
Australia is also instructed by oil supplies from the Middle East. Of all people, there is now a fire in a large refinery in the country. The owner is confident that he will be able to replace petrol with imports.
This fire at the Viva Oil refinery in Geelong was triggered by a "significant leak", according to the on-site operations manager.
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