Source : Perth Now news
WHAT HAPPENED?
* A fire broke out at Viva Energy’s Geelong oil refinery at Corio, about 60km southwest of Melbourne’s CBD, late on Wednesday
* Firefighters rushed to the scene about 11.15pm following multiple reports of explosions and flames at the facility
* The fire began in the refinery’s Mogas section, about 30m by 30m in size
* An estimated 25 to 50 workers were inside the facility at the time
* All have been accounted for and no one was injured
* The blaze was declared under control after 11am on Thursday, with firefighters and other agencies remaining on site
* Authorities said the cause of the fire was likely a small LNG leak from a valve failure which subsequently ignited
* A full investigation will be launched into the cause after the fire is extinguished and site access is restored
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FIRE?
* The blaze directly impacted units responsible for petrol production
* The extent of the damage is not yet clear
* Production in other units for diesel and jet fuel was ramped down for safety reasons
* Viva believes there will be no immediate impact on fuel supplies
* Authorities are confident imported fuel can make up for any domestic shortfall
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SITE?
* The Geelong refinery is one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries
* It produces about 10 per cent of Australia’s fuel and more than half of Victoria’s supply
* The refinery can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, manufacturing petrol, diesel, LPG, jet fuel, aviation gasoline and low aromatic fuel
* Brisbane’s Ampol Lytton refinery is the only other site in the country
* Australia had eight operating oil refineries in 2005
* About 80 to 90 per cent of Australia’s liquid fuel supply is now imported
* Australia obtains most of its refined fuel from Asian countries, including Singapore, South Korea, India, Malaysia and China
* The global oil shock has sparked national debate about Australia’s liquid fuel security due to its lack of refineries and reliance on international suppliers
Sources: Fire Rescue Victoria, Viva Energy, federal government, Victorian government, Australian Workers’ Union, NRMA
