Exxon Mobil shuts Fos-Sur-Mer refinery in France due to strike

Logos of ExxonMobil are seen in its booth at Gastech, the world’s biggest expo for the gas industry, in Chiba, Japan April 4, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

Sept 22 (Reuters) – ExxonMobil is gradually shutting down its 235,000 barrel per day (bpd) Fos-Sur-Mer refinery in France as a result of ongoing strike action, the company said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

Walkouts caused the gradual shut down of Exxon’s 240,000 bpd Port Jerome-Gravenchon oil refinery and Notre Dame de Gravenchon (NDG) petrochemical site in France on Sept. 20 before spreading to Fos-Sur-Mer 24 hours later. read more

French unions CGT and Force Ouvriere called for a strike on Tuesday following wage negotiations with Exxon Mobil related to rising inflation in Europe.

“We are gradually shutting down the Gravenchon refinery and petrochemical plant and we have started preparations to gradually shut down the Fos refinery,” an Exxon Mobil spokesperson said in the statement.

“This unfortunate situation may impact our customers, contractors, suppliers, and employees, and affects the international reputation of Exxon Mobil activities in France,” the statement said.

Workers at Exxon’s Toulouse depot have also joined the strike, CGT Exxon Mobil said on its blog. But Exxon said operations at the Toulouse terminal are not affected.

Reporting by Rowena Edwards; edited by David Evans

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