Energy Minister Chris Bowen says a blaze at one of Australia’s last remaining oil refineries will impact petrol production, as emergency personnel continue to fight the Geelong fire.
One of two refineries in the entire county, Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery supplies 10 percent of the nation’s fuel. Emergency Services were called to the facility in Corio, about 60km southwest of Melbourne, shortly after 11pm on Wednesday following reports of explosions and flames.
About 50 firefighters, 10 fire trucks and a boat attended the blaze with firefighters telling reporters the inferno started small but after several explosions grew into a large, intense fire.
Fifty percent of Victoria’s fuel comes from the site, according to Viva Energy’s website.
The refinery can produce more than 120,000 barrels of oil per day, manufacturing petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, avgas and low aromatic fuel.
The blaze is not yet under control but is currently contained to the area where it broke out, Fire Rescue Victoria said.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said petrol production has been affected, while jet fuel and diesel are being produced at reduced levels.
Bowen told Nine: "At this point, the impact is mainly on petrol production, but obviously this is very early days."
In November last year a power supply disruption at the refinery led to the safety flare bellowing out black smoke over the community.
In January 2026 another “operational disruption” led the flare to burn “larger than normal”.