https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15735917/Victoria-Corio-oil-refinery.ht...


A large blaze has erupted at the Corio oil refinery in Geelong.

The Vic Emergency website confirmed the blaze broke out just after midnight and was out-of-control.

The Viva Energy-run facility is one of only two working oil refineries in Australia.

Corio has been processing oil for seven decades and it employs more than 1,100 workers.

It supplies 50 per cent of Victoria's fuel and 10 per cent of Australia's, putting out 120,000 barrels of oil a day.

The refinery also makes hydrocarbon solvents, marine fuel oil, low aromatic fuel, avgas, bitumen and high-quality plastic feedstock used to create food packaging, medical equipment and polymer banknotes.

The fire started during the night darkness, so the security cameras were connected to solar panels only.

Dunno Yadda,

it even made it on world news for the BBC:


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj40pdw79z9o



A major fire has broken out at one of Australia's two oil refineries, deepening fears over the nation's petrol supplies amid a global fuel crunch.

Emergency crews rushed to Viva's Corio oil refinery in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, just before midnight on Wednesday, after reports of explosions and flames. The refinery produces 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% of the nation's.

No one has been injured, but the blaze continues to burn and has prompted warnings about air quality in the area.

The refinery is still partially operational - jet fuel and diesel will continue to be made at reduced levels as a safety precaution - but the government has warned of impacts to petrol production.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the fire was "not great timing" with Australia's fuel supplies under pressure since war broke out in Iran creating a global oil crisis.

The price of diesel in Australia has doubled in recent weeks, with fuel stations reporting shortages amid reports of panic buying, while airlines are cutting back some services as jet fuel costs rise.

"This is not a positive development, but obviously there's a long way to go in terms of working out just what the impact is," Bowen told Nine's Today show on Thursday, adding he is working closely with the company.

"Obviously, this is very early days."



The refinery produces about 120,000 barrels of oil per day, and employs over 1,100 people.

Equipment failure (a faulty valve) I hear being said on news.
Of all the times for that to happen.
Coincidence not?
I guess it means we won’t be holding our breaths for that .25c drop in fuel price 

Bobby. wrote on Apr 16^th, 2026 at 5:42pm:


Bobby, you may remember this….an explosion at a natural gas plant. Melbourne and surround were without hot water, cooking, for 2 weeks! In mid winter too… everyone was complaining about cold showers.

1998 Esso Longford fire (Victoria)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Esso_Longford_fire

This was close family news for us as cousin worked there, was complaining to his dad for months before the explosion about lack of needed maintenance, reports were ignored.
He saw those 2 men alive that day, about 10 minutes before he left to inspect others…. Heard the explosion and ran to find them both deceased, eyeballs fried.
He was in utter shock to say the least.
But there you have it, lack of proper maintenance in due course.

Now this latest explosion at Geelong oil refinery (Victoria again)

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