A significant fire at one of Australia's two oil refineries, operated by Viva Energy, has been extinguished after burning for 13 hours, but it has intensified concerns over the nation's petrol supplies during a global fuel shortage. The blaze at the Corio refinery in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, was brought under control by emergency crews, with no injuries reported and dozens of workers safely evacuated.

The incident poses a threat to Australia's fuel security, as the refinery produces 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% of the nation's total. The government has warned of potential impacts on petrol production. Energy Minister Chris Bowen described the fire as "not great timing," citing pressures on Australia's fuel supplies since the outbreak of war in Iran, which has allegedly contributed to a global oil crisis.

Fire Rescue Victoria attributed the cause to "equipment failure," with an investigation underway. Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt stated that the fire affected two petrol production units, though others remained undamaged. He added that jet fuel and diesel production were operating at reduced levels as a safety precaution, with plans to increase output only after ensuring safety.

Experts note that Australia heavily relies on imported refined fuels from countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia, which may limit the domestic impact of the fire. However, professors warn that this event narrows the buffer against shocks in the fuel supply chain. Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj called the fire "unprecedented" and reported that management was deeply shaken by the incident.

Source: www.bbc.com