The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price is in focus today after the company provided an update regarding the recent fire at its Geelong Refinery, with no injuries reported and short-term fuel supply maintained.
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What did Viva Energy report?
- Fire occurred in the Alkylation Unit of the Geelong Refinery on 15 April 2026
- No injuries to personnel; emergency services responded professionally
- Diesel and jet fuel production to operate at ~80% of capacity; petrol at ~60% short-term
- Sufficient fuel stocks to maintain normal supply for customers
- Assessment of repair costs and financial impact underway, with insurance coverage in place
- Shares to resume trading from 20 April 2026
What else do investors need to know?
The incident was confined to the Alkylation Unit, while major processing units including the crude distillation and reformer units remain unaffected. The Residue Catalytic Cracking Unit (RCCU) is temporarily offline as part of stabilisation efforts.
Viva Energy expects to restore production of diesel, jet fuel, and petrol to over 90% of capacity in the coming weeks, pending plant inspection. An investigation into the cause has commenced, and the company has notified insurers regarding property and business interruption coverage.
What's next for Viva Energy?
Viva Energy plans to restart the RCCU and increase production as soon as plant inspections are complete, aiming to return to over 90% capacity. The company is also committed to a full investigation of the incident and will update investors on damage, repair timelines, and any financial impact.
Despite this setback, Geelong Refinery remains a strategic asset in the company's national fuel network. Viva Energy has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining operations and reliable supply for its customers.
Viva Energy share price snapshot
Over the past 12 months, Viva Energy shares have risen 60%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 14% over the same period.
