Viva Energy boosts Australia’s fuel security

As part of the Australian Government’s “Boosting Australia’s Diesel Storage Program”, Viva Energy has built additional strategic diesel storage at the Viva Energy Hub in Geelong.

Three fuel storage tanks each with 30 million litres of capacity came online in September 2024.

At 45m in diameter and nearly 30m tall, the tanks will collectively store enough diesel to supply Victoria for about a week.

During the energy transition, it is critical to provide the energy and infrastructure necessary to keep the economy operating safely, affordably and securely, while new energies and technologies mature and become affordable.

Diesel is one of Australia’s most important fuels. It is vital for emergency services, long haul transport including the delivery of food, equipment and medicines. Diesel helps drive our agricultural, mining and defence industries and is a back-up fuel for electricity generation for critical services like hospitals and sanitation or as a power supply in some remote communities.

Built by Geelong company Brockman Engineering, each tank has been constructed using 600 tonnes of plate steel supplied by Australia’s BlueScope steel. The project also involved 4km of connecting pipework within the Geelong refinery to deliver diesel to the tanks and to be able to transmit the fuel to Melbourne by existing pipelines.

A maximum of 140 people worked on the project at the peak of construction.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Federal Member for Corio, the Hon. Richard Marles, officially opened the new tanks on 4 October, 2024.

Project Overview

Key aspects of the project:

  • Best practice design and engineering was used for the tanks and associated infrastructure.

  • Construction of the tanks was compliant with all required industry and statutory codes including fixed tank roof, foundations and impermeable liner.

  • Connections into the existing refinery system including the jetty and pipelines that deliver fuel to Melbourne.

  • Advanced firefighting protection.

  • Tank level gauging and alarms to ensure safe filling.


For more information

If you would like to make comment about this project or require further information, please contact energyhub@vivaenergy.com.au