The American oil giant ExxonMobil recently announced plans to sell its refinery in Fos-sur-Mer and fuel depots in the south of France to a Swiss consortium. This move will result in the loss of 677 jobs. Several petrochemical units at the Gravenchon site will also be shut down due to being economically unviable. Despite these closures, ExxonMobil has promised to find solutions for affected employees and no departures are expected before 2025.
The French Minister of Industry, Roland Lescure, expressed concern over the announcement and emphasized the need for reclassification opportunities for employees. The company cited factors such as operating and energy costs in Europe as reasons for the closures. However, there is optimism about the future of refineries in France, with a focus on reducing carbon intensity and investing in sustainability measures.
The reorganization of ExxonMobil’s activities reflects challenges faced by the French oil industry, including high energy costs and declining demand for petroleum products. The shift towards biomass-based fuels and the gradual electrification of the automobile fleet are also impacting the sector. To address these challenges, there is a growing emphasis on converting refineries into biorefineries to produce more sustainable fuels. This transition is leading to restructuring in the industry, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
