Geelong Oil Refinery Blaze May Impact Australia’s Petrol Production ‘for some time’

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has warned an ongoing fire at one of Australia’s two operational oil refineries may impact petrol supply “for some time”, as the government continues to grapple with the global oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war.

The blaze at Viva Energy Refinery in Geelong broke out just after 11pm on Wednesday, with authorities called to the site after multiple reports of explosions and flames. Mr Bowen said it appeared to be an accident at this stage and that there were no suspicious circumstances, while adding that the refinery is continuing to produce diesel and jet fuel “at reduced levels” due to safety precautions, with petrol production likely to be most impacted.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Albanese will visit Malaysia on Thursday as part of a broader tour of some of Australia’s key fuel suppliers, having signed a joint statement with his counterpart vowing to work together to “strengthen energy supply chain resilience” during a stop in Brunei on Wednesday. But Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst with MST Financial, said the fire had complicated the government’s efforts to ensure continued fuel supply “just as the crunch point of the global fuel shortage is about to hit us”, increasing the risk of fuel shortages and the need for stronger demand management measures to be taken earlier.