Fire Erupts at Geelong Refinery, Threatening Fuel Supply

On the night of April 15, 2026, a massive explosion and fire tore through Viva Energy’s Geelong oil refinery, prompting a swift emergency response from Fire Rescue Victoria. The incident, which began shortly before midnight, was characterized by several explosions that sent a plume of smoke across the Geelong area, resulting in local residents being advised to stay indoors and close their windows.

Firefighters received multiple reports of loud blasts and flames at the facility, located in Corio, and were dispatched to the scene around 11 PM. Fortunately, all approximately 50 workers present at the time managed to evacuate without injury, though some had to run for their lives as the situation escalated. Fire Rescue Victoria Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness described the fire as a "ferocious blaze" that took about 13 hours to extinguish.

Initial investigations indicate that a gas leak was detected shortly before the explosion, prompting the alarm to be raised. McGuinness confirmed that the fire was still burning the following morning, April 16, but had been contained to an area measuring about 30 by 30 meters. Around 50 firefighters and 10 fire trucks remained on the scene, using large volumes of water to cool surrounding infrastructure and prevent the fire from spreading to other highly flammable materials within the refinery.

Authorities have activated isolation valves to limit fuel flow to the impacted section of the plant, and specialized fixed monitors operated remotely are being employed to combat the fire from a safer distance due to the volatile conditions. As of Thursday morning, smoke was still visible rising from the facility, and the extent of the damage remained unclear.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the incident would impact fuel supply from one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries. Early indications suggest that petrol production would be disrupted, particularly from the refinery’s motor gasoline production unit, commonly referred to as the mogas plant. "Petrol, high octane petrol – in particularly diesel and jet fuel – continues to be produced at the refinery. But obviously I’ve been talking to the Chief Executive over the last several hours and will continue to talk to him today to get a clearer assessment," Bowen stated on Sunrise.

Viva Energy’s CEO, Scott Wyatt, confirmed that the fire had affected the refinery’s motor gasoline production unit, which had been operating at full capacity prior to the incident. He indicated that the facility is now running at minimum rates and will only increase output once it is deemed safe to do so. Wyatt noted that diesel and jet fuel production have also been reduced as a precautionary measure, but he expressed hope that production could increase in the coming weeks.

"We’re still producing, making about 80 percent of diesel and 60 percent of petrol. We do hope to be able to lift that over the coming weeks," Wyatt explained. He also emphasized that the refinery remains operational, with only a small section taken offline, and denied any connection between the recent maintenance delays and the explosion.

As the situation develops, concerns are growing over the potential for petrol price surges across Victoria, particularly in light of the existing global fuel supply crisis exacerbated by tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Geelong refinery plays a key role in Australia’s fuel supply, producing roughly half of Victoria’s petrol and about 10 percent of the nation’s total fuel supply.

In response to the incident, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returned early from a trip to Southeast Asia to address the situation. During a press conference on April 17, he downplayed the fire's impact, stating it had only caused a "slight slowdown" in production and would not lead to any changes in Australia’s four-stage fuel security policy.

"It’s important to note that the refinery is still operational and we are working closely with Viva Energy to monitor the situation," Albanese said. His comments were echoed by Wyatt, who insisted that the refinery could maintain production levels without the damaged units. The federal government has been proactive in addressing fuel supply issues, especially in light of the recent conflicts affecting global oil markets.

Union representatives have raised concerns about the safety conditions at the Geelong refinery, which has a long history of incidents and regulatory scrutiny. Tony Hynds, the Geelong organizer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), remarked on the precarious nature of safety at the facility, stating, "If this had happened during the day, we’d be talking about a whole different outcome in terms of injuries and fatalities." He noted that maintenance practices have improved in recent years but acknowledged the plant's age and the potential risks associated with its operations.

Experts have also pointed out that the refinery's age, having been established in 1956, raises questions about its safety protocols and equipment integrity. Yuan Chen, a chemical engineering expert from the University of Sydney, stated, "Oil refining is a high-risk industrial process. These operating conditions, combined with the potential for equipment degradation over time, can increase the likelihood of incidents such as fires if not carefully managed through maintenance and safety systems." This incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between industrial operations and safety in the energy sector.

As investigations into the cause of the explosion begin, the focus will be on ensuring the safety of workers and the surrounding community, as well as the impact on fuel supply in the coming weeks. The Geelong refinery’s role in Australia’s fuel infrastructure cannot be overstated, and the repercussions of this incident will likely be felt across the state and beyond.