A fire at the Viva Energy oil refinery in Victoria could significantly impact gasoline production in Australia. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, and the blaze is still not under control. Reuters reports this, writes UNN.
Details
The fire broke out late Wednesday evening at the facility in Geelong, about an hour from Melbourne. The fire engulfed two units of the plant, which supplies more than half of Victoria's fuel needs. There are no reports of casualties.
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated that the situation would primarily affect gasoline production.
The fire is not yet under control. This is not a positive development, but obviously, much more needs to be done to determine what impact it will have.
According to him, the production of diesel and aviation fuel continues, but at a reduced level.
Company actions
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt noted that the main priority remains the complete extinguishing of the fire.
All other units are still operating and working, but they are operating at a minimal level to ensure safety throughout the region.
After the fire is extinguished, the company plans to assess the damage and resume production.
The incident occurred amid Australia's attempts to strengthen energy security due to global supply disruptions related to the war in the Middle East. Authorities note that there is currently no threat to the population, although smoke may affect nearby areas.