French strikes block refineries for second day

All movements in and out of French refineries remain halted today, as workers continue a planned three-day bout of industrial action over proposed government changes to pension rights.

The CGT union said today its members remained out on strike across the downstream complex.

TotalEnergies said all loadings and deliveries were stopped at its three domestic refineries, the 219,000 b/d Donges, 109,3000 b/d Feyzin and 246,900 b/d Gonfreville. Workers are also halting movements in and out of the company's Flanders products depot and Carling petrochemical unit. Workers are on strike at its 500,000 t/yr La Mede hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) plant, although it was already stopped for some unplanned downtime.

Workers say strikes are continuing at ExxonMobil's 133,000 b/d Fos and 236,000 b/d Port Jerome plants, and at the Gravenchon petrochemical unit. There is also action at UK-Chinese refiner Petroineos' 207,100 b/d Lavera refinery.

But refinery operations have not stopped, unlike during the strikes held between September-November 2022 when storage became full.

Strikes are also being held by dockers and shore staff at the Mediterranean port of Fos-Lavera, halting all crude discharge and products loading. Some tankers are waiting at the port to unload.

The government has said it will not allow shortages at service stations, raising the possibility of workers being requisitioned to secure supply. TotalEnergies said its stocks levels are high and there is retail no shortage. The CGT said it is possible the government could force workers to return to their posts, as it did last year.

Widespread strike action is continuing nationally across a string of industrial, transport and municipal sectors.

By Adam Porter